A month after Gin Ichimaru made his return to the Soul Society, he already found himself with multiple reasons to stay on permanently.
The morning was the monthly check-up for all of the squad lieutenants. Kila LaRoux, a fairly new member of the fourth squad, was being carefully supervised by her senior, Hana Kagaro, on her examination of third lieutenant Izuru Kira.
A fairly nervous person, it's understandable that Kila panicked a little when Lieutenant Kira's temperature came back higher than normal. Hana and Kila discussed it, and Hana retook Izuru's temp. Getting the same result, she frowned and took it to Unohana.
Izuru, meanwhile, tightly gripped the edge of his seat and prayed there was , while running through his mind everything that possibly COULD be wrong.
He was a nervous person too.
Soon enough, the two returned along with Captain Unohana, who commenced drawing blood. Catching his anxious gaze, she assured him, "It's okay. Whatever is going on is harmless, I promise."
Izuru nodded slowly.
After that, Hana came by with a clipboard and pen and started asking him odd questions.
"Have you felt nauseous at all lately?"
"No."
"Any weird cravings for food?"
"Um, no."
"Any noticeable weight gain?"
Izuru wasn't sure he liked where this was going. "N-no."
"When was the last time you and, uh, Captain Ichimaru had intercourse?" embarrassed even her.
"U-um, I..." Izuru stuttered.
"Uh, we're gonna skip that one..."
He was kept a while after everyone else, and many of the other lieutenants threw him curious or concerned glances on their way out.
After nearly everyone else had left, Captain Gin Ichimaru walked in. Izuru stood. "Gin, uh, Captain Ichimaru, I -"
Gin put a hand on his shoulder to silence him. "Not to worry, Izuru. You're not in any trouble. Captain Unohana just wants to speak to me."
Hana motioned the third captain over. After several minutes, the group of three approached a now-obviously-afraid Izuru again. Gin smiled (of course) and brushed his lieutenant's hair aside gently with one hand, making him blush. The two women were smiling as well.
"I-I don't understand. What's going on?" Izuru said nervously, allowing himself to be pulled into Gin's arms.
"Sorry for being so mysterious about it and all," Hana apologized.
"It really isn't anything harmful," Unohana said. "In fact, I think you'll be happy to hear."
"What is it?" Izuru was almost pleading now, and looked to Gin for help.
"Why, you're having a baby, Izuru," Gin said happily, stroking his lieutenant's hair.
Izuru could only blink in response. What? He was... pregnant?
"See? Nothing to be worried about." Gin was obviously not surprised.
"B-but, Captain," the lieutenant stuttered as the full force of the diagnosis hit him. "I... There's so much... So many questions..."
"Why don't we go for a walk?" Gin said casually, leading his still-stuttering lieutenant out the door.
It was only after they'd reached the gardens near Division 13 that the lieutenant collected himself enough to begin. "H-how many months did they say I was?"
"I believe it was about one and a half."
"O-one... and a half...?" Izuru collapsed onto a nearby bench, and Gin sat beside him. "That... seems like such a long time."
"Yes. And we didn't even find out until now." Gin embraced his lover, and Izuru submitted to it as usual.
Poor Izuru put his head in his hands. "This is... a lot for me, Captain. Especially just for one day. It shouldn't be... but it is." He sounded extremely distressed, and Gin pulled him closer and held him securely, stroking his blonde hair.
"I know, I know. I think you're going to be feeling quite a bit of that, Izuru. I wish you weren't, but... I'll take care of you to the best of my ability."
"...I appreciate it, Gin."