Chapter 12

Ichigo went to his knees beside Toshiro, panting and sweating as he took his lover's hand. "I'm here, yuki hime, I'm here."

Toshiro clutched at his shihakshou, clenching his teeth. "Ichigo… we need to go.."

The orange-haired captain scooped up his lover, stepping into his shunpo and flying up the stairs towards the entrance. Matsumoto moved after them, carrying the remaining clothes.

Ichigo could feel Toshiro's pain echoing through him, Toshiro's body shaking against his chest, the clenching of his muscles. They were both scared, but they were together, and they knew things would work out.

Unohana was expecting them, Hisagi standing at her side. The gentle woman led Ichigo to a room that had been prepared for them, calling orders to her subordinates as she went.

Toshiro watched the process with quiet curiosity, his teal eyes focusing in several different places at any given time. The contractions were still roughly 8 minutes apart, he was able to rest between them. He could feel Ichigo shaking and he cuddled closer, trying to calm him.

Ichigo laid Toshiro on the bed as Unohana instructed, his chocolate eyes focusing on Toshiro. The captain sat quietly as Unohana hooked him up to several machines and examined him.

Just as she finished Toshiro gritted his teeth, breathing deeply to ride out the pain. Ichigo held his hand, his jaw tight and body tense. Unohana nodded as Toshiro relaxed, examining the small captain. "6 minutes… you've still got some time yet. Rest while you can Hitsugaya-kun, I will return in a few minutes. Isane will wait near the door if you need anything."

Toshiro nodded. "Thank you Unohana-taichou."

She nodded, and then left the room. Ichigo breathed out slowly, stroking Toshiro's hand gently. "How are you feeling, yuki hime?"

He smiled faintly. "A little tired, but not in pain at the moment. It comes and goes."

"I'm so worried about you, love." Ichigo murmured, kissing the smaller's pale hand gently. "I hate it when you're hurting."

Both heard Ogichi's soft agreement. Me too.

Toshiro caressed his swollen stomach gently, a small smile on his face. "I don't mind the pain. It will be worth it when I get hold them."

Ichigo smiled as well, his chocolate eyes shining faintly. "I know… That's all I can think about, finally getting to see them, hold them."

Both were silent for a time, and then another contraction went through Toshiro's tight muscles, his breath quickening slightly. Ichigo tensed slightly as Toshiro squeezed his hand tightly.

"How long will this take, Toshiro?" Ichigo murmured worriedly.

"I don't know. Some time by what I remember Unohana-taichou telling me." Toshiro responded, closing his eyes tiredly. "But I'm… so… tired…"

Ichigo smiled slightly as he gently brushed the smaller's white hair off of his forehead, kissing his cheek. "I love you, sleep well, yuki hime."

"Keep holding on, yuki hime!" Ichigo whispered in his little lover's ear. "Stay strong, we can do this."

Toshiro breathed deep, nodding slightly. He could feel Ichigo strong and solid at his back, their hands tangled together, Ichigo's right arm wrapped under his right and around his shoulder. Toshiro's left hand tightened on Ichigo's, and then Unohana finally gave the command to push.

Pain. Oh, it hurt. His pelvis felt pressured, his muscles unbearably tight and uncomfortable, an unbelievable force pressing downward. Toshiro let out his breath with a hiss, breathing heavy.

"You're doing wonderfully Hitsugaya-kun." Unohana murmured, calm and kind. "Alright now, nice and easy, 1, 2, 3, push."

Ichigo held him a little tighter as he bore down, murmuring in his ear, supporting him as he fell back. "I'm so proud of you yuki hime…" Ichigo whispered.

"You're making good progress, again, 1, 2, 3, push."

This time a whimper of pain slipped from Toshiro's lips, only his pride keeping a cry inside. He fell back against Ichigo's chest, panting heavily.

Ichigo felt worry course through him once more. Toshiro was already tired from labor, and now that they had moved into the delivery it was getting harder. He could feel the little captain's exhaustion through their link, but could do nothing more than provide support and strength.

He could hear the monitors that were following Toshiro's heartbeat speeding up, and he felt more afraid. He believed in Toshiro, but something had been nagging at him.

"Wonderful, Hitsugaya-kun!"

Ichigo looked up as Isane carried a tiny, bloody looking form away from the bed. A moment later a child's cry echoed in the room and Ichigo felt his heart leap. He kissed Toshiro's forehead, looking into smiling, tired teal eyes. "You did it, yuki hime!"

Isane came to the head of the bed, carefully holding the crying baby down so the couple could see it. "Congratulations, a boy."

"A boy…" Toshiro whispered.

"He's perfect." Ichigo said confidently.

Unohana spoke then. "Are you ready for the second child, Hitsugaya-kun?"

Toshiro nodded, exhausted. Ichigo pressed more strength into him as he felt the smaller's consciousness waver, squeezing his hand. "Come on, Toshiro, you can do this. Wecan do this; you're not alone."

Toshiro nodded weakly, and then gritted his teeth as Unohana commanded him to push. Ichigo could see sweat dotting the woman's forehead, blood soaking her arms up to her elbows.

"Isane," she called, voice firm and trembling.

Ichigo felt panic flare, but he shoved it down. He could feel Toshiro trembling violently, his hand cool and clammy. His breathing was rapid and shallow, panting from between his dry lips.

"Damnit! We have to get this baby out now, Isane!"

Ichigo jumped as he heard the gentle and motherly captain swear, and his panic broke free. "What's going on?.!"

"Blood pressure dropping!" an assistant yelled. "Pulse rate slowing!"

Unohana swore again. "Come on, Hitsugaya-kun, hold on! For your children!"

Ichigo cried out as he felt Toshiro's mind slipping, latching onto him with all his power. He held him, both mentally and physically, sweat breaking out on his forehead as he did.

"That's it, hold him Kurosaki-kun!" Unohana cried. "Don't let him go!"

Come on, hime, hold on to us! We won't let you go! The pups need you!

Ichigo felt Ogichi grab onto Toshiro's consciousness and together they pulled him back to full awareness. However, Ichigo knew that it was only their power that was keeping him awake. They could not let him go.

Ichigo's world had shrunk to just Toshiro. He was aware only of his love's failing reiatsu, his labored breathing, his shivering body. He could feel Toshiro's straining muscles, and his hand squeezing his own.

The cry of a baby interrupted his thoughts, and he saw the green glow of Unohana's healing reiatsu as she worked frantically to stop the bleeding. He suddenly panicked as he felt Toshiro's head loll against his chest, his mind slipping away.

No! NO! HIME! COME BACK!

A hand on his shoulder dragged him backwards away from the bed. "No! Let me go! LET ME GO!"

Fingers touched his neck and then reality fled, carrying Ichigo screaming into darkness.

Ichigo clawed his way back to consciousness to find himself in a room in the infirmary, Isane in the corner watching him quietly.

"I'm sorry, Kurosaki-taichou . I did not want to knock you out, but we needed more room and we didn't need you in there panicking," the woman murmured quietly, bowing her head to her superior.

Ichigo shook his head slightly, but then his mind flashed to his lover. "Where is he? How is he?" he demanded, jumped to his feet. His world swayed slightly as he did, but he doggedly stayed on his feet, gritting his teeth and clenching his hands.

Isane was quiet for a moment, and then spoke softly, her voice shaking. "The babies are fine, two healthy boys, but… something tore. Hitsugaya-taichou was going into what is called hypovolemic shock by the time your second son was born. He flat-lined not long after you were removed from the room, but Unohana-taichou revived him."

Ichigo's heart was in his throat, his body tense. "And?"

She swallowed. "He won't wake up. He's sunk into a coma."

"No…" Ichigo murmured. He bolted from the room, following the extremely faint source of Toshiro's reiatsu, exploding into the room breathing hard.

Toshiro lay on the bed in the center of the room, a mask over his mouth and nose, IVs hooked to him. He looked as pale as the bed he lay on, close to death.

Ichigo fell to his knees beside the bed, tears gathering in his eyes and spilling down his cheeks. "No… Wake up, yuki hime… Please wake up…"

Hypovolemic shock - wikipedia is my source here, hypovolemia is decreased blood volume, and in large amounts it can lead to and be recognized by elevated pulse, diminished blood pressure, pale skin, cool and clammy skin, rapid and shallow breathing, and the person feeling dizzy, faint, nauseated, or very thirsty. It can happen from birth compllications, as I used here. Hope you liked the chapter, even though I did leave quite the cliffhanger! I will try to get the next chapter up within the next few days!