Chapter 27
Second is Harder
By Demon-of-Cats
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, the Tite does. I own my OC's and OOC's
Warnings: This is AU and has some spoilers.
No Flames please, but constructive criticism is welcome.
Note: Between 26 and 27 there is a forty-five year time skip. I estimated this from something Rukia says in the first chapter of the Manga. She says she has lived ten of Ichigo's lives. I would assume she is 150 at the start of BLEACH then.
"Daddy!" A little voice called as Sajin walked up the hill. He glanced up and saw his young son running toward him. He looked about four now and he smiled big when his father bent down to lift him into his arms.
He then looked toward the house and then looked at his daddy again. He then said, "Mommy's 'een sick ah day. I asked if could have pick-less on sanwich today an she opened da pick-less jar an trew up."
Sajin lifted an eyebrow and glanced at the house to see his wife walk out. He inspected her as he walked up the hill and noticed that she was indeed a little green around the edges. He then smiled at a familiar scent.
The first time he had smelt this scent he hadn't known what it was, until she had come to him and told him something.
"Kureno," Sajin said as he stopped in front of the porch and sat his son down, "Is there a smell you don't recognize?"
Kureno sniffed and then looked at his mother then sniffed again and cocked his head, "Uh huh. Fwom mommy."
"From me?" Moria asked and then gasped in surprise.
"It means that you have a little brother or sister on the way," Sajin said to Kureno after he had scooped Moria into his arms.
Moria smiled.
"We gonna get package soon?" Kureno asked.
Moria suddenly began to giggle uncontrollably while Sajin stopped and gave his son a confused look, though, the look also bordered on amusement.
"Who told you that babies come from the mail?" Sajin asked as he laid Moria down on the couch.
"Mr. Uwahawa."
This caused Moria to giggle harder.
Sajin just rolled his eyes and started to explain where the baby was to Kureno.
All in all the pregnancy went well. It wasn't any harder than Kureno's had been for her, and once the urge to throw up everything she had ever eaten went away she gained a glow that only happened during a pregnancy.
It was a warm spring morning when Moria decided to take a bath. She was a few weeks until she was ready to birth so she figured she would be fine. She undressed and noticed Kureno was close by. He currently wasn't watching her but he gave her the impression that he would be close if she began to feel woozy.
He had taken to doing that since she had fainted a few times early in her pregnancy. He didn't want her to get hurt.
She had sat for about half an hour in the bath when a crippling pain rushed across her abdomen. She gripped the edge of the bathtub and waited for it to subside before she tried to stand.
When she stood another pain racked her body and she sat heavily in the water again, sending water onto the floor.
Again she waited and then tried once again to stand. This time when she hit the water she noticed the red tint that the water had. She was bleeding.
She brushed away the bubbles and noticed that the water had turned completely red.
"Damn it," Moria whimpered and then looked around for her pager before she remembered that it wasn't in the bathroom.
She took several deep breaths and then glanced at the door and called, "Kureno!"
A little whimper could be heard on the other side of the door in answer.
"Kureno, call daddy and tell him to come home. It's important."
Kureno looked at the door and then ran into his mommy and daddy's room. He found the spirit pager and then held a button down.
"Hello," Sajin's voice came through the phone, "Moria?"
"Daddy!"
"Kureno what's wrong?"
"Mommy's in da batwoom an she nees ya ta come home an I smell bwud fwom insai an she says is portent!"
On the other side of the line Sajin froze as he comprehended what his son had just said. He then spoke calmly, "Go to the front room and wait for me. I'm on my way."
"Es daddy," Kureno said and shut the line down.
He then dutifully ran to the front room and waited. After several minutes he heard his father on the steps as he ran in and another. His uncle.
"Daddy! Unke Shinji!" Kureno cried and ran to his father who had taken his haori off and hung it on the coat rack near the door.
Sajin lifted his son up and kissed him on the forehead. He then handed Kureno to Shinji and hurried to the bathroom.
"Was goin' on?" Kureno asked his uncle as Shinji hurried out of the building and in the general direction of Squad Four.
"We are going to Squad Four to tell Lady Zaraki to prepare for your mommy," Shinji said as he flash stepped.
Kureno's tail dropped and he just hugged on to his uncle.
Back at the Komamura home Moria let out a yell of pain. She barely felt as she was lifted out of the bathtub and laid on a towel.
Sajin dried Moria off a little bit before taking the black shirt part of his gi off and wrapping her up in it. He then frowned and then took the undershirt off and wrapped it around her as well. She cried out in pain and writhed as he pulled her close to his chest. It was then she realized that he was there.
"S-sajin," she whimpered.
"I'm here," Sajin said and adjusted her in his arms so that she was safe as he moved.
He then exited his home and hurried to squad four.
When he arrived Retsu rushed out to meet him. She ordered Sajin to follow her and then rushed inside.
On the outside she was calm as ever.
Inside her mind was racing and worried.
She led Sajin to a room and told him to lay Moria on the bed while she got some instruments ready. Then she shooed him from the room as she began to help Moria give birth.
Sajin went several paces down the hallway and then stopped and watched the door. He stayed to the side of the hall so that he wasn't blocking the road and noticed Isane enter the room as well as a few other female members of Squad Four.
One of which had walked right past him.
Retsu then exited the room halfway and ordered him to go to the waiting room in that voice.
"Hey," Shinji called as Sajin entered the room, "Where's your shirt?"
"Around Moria," Sajin said and lifted his son into his arms to reassure himself, and his son.
Shinji nodded and then glanced up as a squad member hurried through the room.
They were in there for four hours before they received any word. During that time Kureno remained quiet. He was too scared to do anything.
Also during that time someone had gotten Sajin a shirt to wear.
Then Sajin's ears perked up as he heard a sound that Shinji hadn't. He blinked and stood, Kureno was currently asleep next to his uncle. He had a pillow and a blanket, given to him by the same nurse that had gotten a shirt for Sajin, and was curled on the long couch.
"What is it?" Shinji asked.
Sajin blinked for a moment and then walked to the door in expectation.
A nurse walked in several minutes later, "She has given birth but Captain Zaraki says you aren't to come yet."
Sajin ground his teeth, "Why?"
The nurse gazed at Sajin and then said, "Captain Komamura, Captain Zaraki believes your wife is bearing twins or even triplets."
Sajin blinked and then went and sat back down, "I'll wait for word from her."
Shinji watched as the nurse left and then turned to Sajin and said, "Congratulations. Life is going to be hectic for the next few decades."
Sajin nodded and then glanced at the sound of Shinji's stomach making itself known.
Shinji frowned and then asked, "You want anything?"
For a long moment Sajin thought and then he said, "No, but maybe something for Kureno. He's bound to be hungry as well."
Shinji nodded and then left the room. A few minutes later he came back with some food. One small box he kept for himself, the other two he sat next to Sajin.
"I know you didn't ask but you are probably just as hungry as I am," Shinji said, "So I got you something as well."
"Thank you," Sajin said and ate the food meant for himself. He then gently shook Kureno and allowed his son to eat.
It was well into the next day before they heard word again.
This time from Retsu herself, "She is doing fine."
Sajin and Shinji both sagged in relief. Kureno's tail perked up slightly and he asked what everyone had on their mind, "Can we see mommy?"
Retsu nodded and then said, "But you have to be quiet. She is very tired."
Everyone nodded and followed Retsu to the room. She opened the door and stepped aside allowing them to enter. Kureno's tail dropped again as he smelled blood but when he saw his mother he hurried next to her. One of her hands was in his reach and he took a hold of it.
"Mommy?"
Shinji and Sajin walked up next to her as well. Sajin placed a hand on her head and noticed her smile faintly.
"Hey . . . how are you?" Sajin said and knelt down.
"Tired," Moria just managed to get out before she slipped into a deep sleep.
Shinji went to the opposite side of the bed and took a hold of Moria's other hand. He then looked around, "Where's the babies?"
Retsu smiled sadly at Shinji and then said, "Captain Komamura, could you follow me please? I need to speak to you in private."
Sajin looked up and then back to Moria. There was a deep frown on his features but he nodded. He then kissed Moria on the forehead and then lifted Kureno up onto the bed next to her head and told him to keep an eye on her.
Kureno only nodded.
Sajin then followed Retsu down the hallway into a different room. He smelled the faint trace of blood along with Moria's scent and realized that his babies were here. One little hand peaking over the side of a cradle told him where.
He went to the cradle and investigated his babies.
Twin girls. Their hair was blue like their mother's and they had his ears and a tail as well. He couldn't smell anything wrong with them but he did smell death in the room, which confused them.
"Why did you wish to speak with me Lady Zaraki?"
Retsu remained silent for a second, as if debating on whether or not to say something and then she said, "There were originally three babies. The third died in birth because the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. I did what I could but . . . it was too late by the time I found out."
Sajin nodded and then looked down at the twins. Both were asleep and swaddled in blankets of white. He then looked around and spotted a white wrapped object. He smelled death coming from it and knew that was the dead child.
He didn't know what instinct drew him but for some reason he came to the dead child and unwrapped her from the blanket. He looked at her face and smiled sadly at her, knowing that she would have been a beauty when she grew up.
"A name," He said suddenly.
Retsu started slightly, "A name?"
"I just remembered an old tradition of my kind. So old it's almost forgotten. To be left without a name at death was considered bad luck for the family. Did she die before she left the womb?"
Retsu nodded.
"Then she needs a name to stave off the bad luck," Sajin said and then thought for a moment. He thought deeply on what to name the child and then smiled slightly, "Mikan will be the name I give you child."
"Mikan?" Retsu asked.
"It is a long story Lady Zaraki," Sajin said as he wrapped Mikan in the blanket, "And I am not in the proper state of mind to tell you folklore. That one especially."
Retsu nodded and then asked, "Had you thought up names for the living?"
"Moria and I could not agree on a boy name. Neither of us could come up with one that worked. But, when we thought up girl names each of us liked the name the other thought of. Which was born first?"
Retsu touched the babe that had been born first and Sajin smiled. He lifted her up and looked her over and then said, "Her name is Himiko," he then placed Himiko back in the bed and lifted the other babe into his arms, "And this is Haruka."
Retsu smiled and then said, "Well Himiko caused the pain to Moria. She came out breach birth. It's why Moria was in so much pain, her hip was broken while she gave birth. I have healed her but she will need to rest for a while, at least until I pronounce her healthy enough."
Sajin nodded and then kissed each child on the head.
End Chapter 27