Do forgive me! It's not that I didn't have this chapter written, I just couldn't find the time to type! My job decided to give me a bunch of extra days, and I just couldn't find the time! I feel so bad about it, but I hope that this chapter will make up for it! Although there is a cliffhanger... (dun dun dun...)

Chapter 8

Ichigo awoke to humming and gentle hands in his hair, warm skin beneath his cheek. He opened his eyes slowly, looking up into warm, loving teal eyes.

"Good morning, Ichigo."

The orange-head turned his head, kissing the swell of Toshiro's stomach, which he had used as a pillow. "Good morning, beautiful. How was your night?"

Toshiro idly ran a hand over the bright hair, moving his hand down to cup Ichigo's warm cheek. "As long as I've got you, wonderful." He smiled. "Although, the twins kept me awake for a while. It amazes me that you can't feel them when you sleep on my stomach."

Ichigo placed a hand on the top of Toshiro's stomach, kissing his skin again. "I can't wait until I can feel them move… I'm so excited for it…"

"Shouldn't be long now…" Toshiro murmured, teal eyes thoughtful. "Unohana-taichou said 18 to 24 weeks, and I'm 23 now."

23 weeks, and it was obvious. Toshiro looked as though he had swallowed one of his favorite fruits (watermelon) whole, and the billowy shihakshou could no longer hide it. The entire Gotei 13 knew now, and the couple had gotten more congratulations then they could keep track of.

Ogichi was thrilled with the whole thing; he often came out at night to pet and coo to Toshiro's stomach while the captain watched with amusement. The Hollow was obviously totally in love with the pups and Toshiro (the whole situation just made Ichigo die of laughter.)

Ichigo sighed, closing his eyes and rubbing his cheek against his lover's belly. "I really want to feel them…"

Toshiro opened his mouth to respond, but he grunted softly instead, blinking. Ichigo gasped as something thumped hard against his cheek. He grinned. "One kicked! I felt one kick!"

The captain laughed faintly. "Yea, that was a hard one."

Toshiro let out a faint squeal as Ichigo shot up, threading his fingers through the white hair at the nape of the other's neck and dragging him forward. Toshiro moaned as he was kissed thoroughly, his eyes slipping closed.

"You are so amazing, yuki hime, and I love you." Ichigo breathed against kiss-swollen, damp lips.

"I love you too, Ichigo…" Toshiro responded, smiling.

Ichigo moved down for another kiss, but both grunted as both twins kicked hard, Ichigo feeling it where Toshiro's stomach fit against his own.

Toshiro laughed softly, a hand touching his stomach. "Making sure we didn't forget them."

That drew a snort. "As if we could."

"ICHIGO!"

The orange-head ducked out of the way with practiced ease, grinning to himself as he did. "Hey Dad, nice to see you too."

Isshin Kuroskai jumped up from his position on the floor with a smile on his face. "It's nice to see you again, my son!"

Ichigo hugged his father. "I miss you guys; sorry I haven't been to see you in a while. Things have been… hectic."

16 year old Karin looked up from her textbook with a smiled. "Hey Ichi-nii, it's been a while. Like… 5 months?"

Yuzu nodded. "Yea, something like that. Last time you were here was in November, wasn't it? You missed our birthday."

Ichigo nodded with a smile. "Yup, gonna be 16 years old already. You guys sure are getting up there. I still remember when you were little 10 year olds."

Yuzu's brown eyes suddenly sparked. "Oh, did you bring Hitsugaya-kun with you?"

Ichigo ruffled her hair lovingly. "Yea, sure did. In fact, that's pretty much why we're here."

Isshin sat down at the table, looking a little confused. "Why? Is something wrong?"

"No, not wrong. We've just got news." Ichigo put out a hand towards the door, opening it to reveal Toshiro standing there, arms crossed and a rather disgruntled look on his face.

"Now I remember why I hate Urahara-san."

Ichigo chuckled. Toshiro was wearing maternity clothes, a pair of jeans and a brilliantly purple shirt that had a bee on it and the words 'Mommy to Bee.' His large pregnant belly was a little over exaggerated because of this, and he got a group stare from the gathered family.

"Ichigo, what…"

Ichigo put an arm around Toshiro's shoulders, pulling the small captain close to his side. "You're going to be a grandfather, Dad."

Isshin stared for a moment, and then whooped, jumping into the air. "I'm gonna be a grandpa!"

Yuzu squealed. "Oh, this is so exciting, Ichi-nii! How far are you, Hitsugaya-kun?"

Toshiro smiled at the girl. "26 weeks now. We're sorry we didn't tell you."

Karin had a faint smiled on her face where she sat at the table. "Don't worry about it, we understand. I'm sure that you've been trying to adjust."

Toshiro nodded, and then rubbed at his spine uncomfortably, wincing slightly. Ichigo led him to the living room, letting him sit on the couch. The orange-head settled beside his lover as his family came in, an arm over Toshiro's shoulders.

Karin asked the question first. "So how does this one work?"

"There is a drug in the Soul Society that allows men to carry children." Toshiro replied simply. "Ichigo wanted kids, and I suppose I did too."

They nodded in understanding; after Ichigo's death the orange-head had explained everything and the family had grown used to shinigami visiting. Both Ichigo and Toshiro visited in gigai, as Yuzu couldn't see the death gods clearly. This new development wasn't a surprise; they were used to the many strange things that the Soul Society tended to provide.

Isshin chuckled. "This is a bit of a surprise, but it is exciting nonetheless. Congratulations you two, I'm happy for you."

A soft sound from Yuzu made them look at her. She smiled softly. "Is the baby kicking yet?"

Toshiro smiled. "I'm carrying twins, but yes, they are."

"Twins?" Karin murmured. "Geez Ichi-nii, poor Toshiro."

Ichigo scoffed at that. "Come on Karin, don't say that."

"Could I feel, Hitsugaya-kun?" Yuzu asked, excitement glittering in her eyes.

The captain chuckled faintly at her enthusiasm, but nodded. "Come here, Yuzu."

He took her hand by the wrist as she got close, setting her hand on the left side of his stomach. Yuzu squealed faintly. "Ooh! One kicked!"

Ichigo chuckled at his sister, his chocolate eyes gleaming.

Both looked up as their senses tingled, and an instant later Ichigo's phone went off. The orange-head swore as he looked at it. "Hollow! An Adjuchas, close by!"

An instant later the wall blew open; Isshin threw himself over Karin and Yuzu, Ichigo shielded Toshiro as the small captain curled protectively around his stomach.

Toshiro looked up to see Ichigo diving away from his gigai, the remaining body turning to shield him. The captain looked around to find the Kurosaki family, but the gigai was pushing at him, trying to get him to move.

Another explosion, and Toshiro looked up in time to see the Adjuchas's tail blast through the wall and collide with the gigai's cheek. With a sickening crack his head snapped around, his body hitting the ground in front of Toshiro. Chocolate brown eyes were blank, open wide in shock and completely dead, staring into Toshiro's terrified eyes.

Ichigo whirled at Toshiro's high-pitched scream of terror, swearing when he saw the situation. The Adjuchas took this chance to strike, hitting him hard into the wall. Ichigo's world went white, breath knocked from him.

He came back to his senses to see the Hollow diving for Toshiro, who was no doubt the main target. Not only did he have powerful reiatsu, but he carried two within him; he was a treat for the Hollow.

There was no time to think, Ichigo just moved. He dived in front of Toshiro an instant before the Adjuchas attacked, its arrow-sharp tail aiming to skewer the helpless captain.

Toshiro flinched as blood splattered over his face, and then slowly opened his eyes.

Ichigo stood before him, the Hollow's tail through his heart.

"ICHIGO!!"