"Linake! Hold up!" Amaya called out to her friend.
Linake didn't pause, hearing the sound of the Senkaimon's doors opening ahead she took off in a sprint down the dark tunnel that connected the human world with the soul society. Rukia chuckled as she draped Linake's dress over her forearm, trying not to let the protective bag slide across the ground as she and Amaya stepped through the Senkaimon.
"There's not going to be any stopping her right now, Amaya." Rukia stated; still smiling about the way Linake had shoved the dress in Rukia's arms before taking off in a mad dash.
Amaya sighed, already knowing what Rukia was about to explain from overhearing the squad 13 captain's unspoken explanation; Linake's mind was filled with so many racing questions. It hadn't even occurred to Amaya how much thought her friend had been putting into the possibility of a family with Kenpachi, how much she had been stressing over it.
"So, did you overhear anything about why Linake wants to see Kurotsuchi?" Rukia spoke aloud out of habit, even though she knew she didn't need to vocalize her questions around Amaya.
Amaya turned her head meeting Rukia's dark violet gaze.
"I guess she wasn't even sure if her getting pregnant was possible; she doesn't want to get her hopes up, so, she's going to Captain Kurotsuchi to see if he can give her proof and answer her questions." Amaya answered.
Rukia smiled.
"Well, if anyone would be able to give her the answers she's looking for, it's Captain Kurotsuchi." Rukia offered, understanding now that Linake would most likely be the type of woman to ask certain questions, the kind Isane Kotetsu wouldn't be able to answer.
Amaya let out a sigh before deciding to let Linake go on her own; even though she wanted to be a support to her friend, Amaya also understood that some things in life were better left being solo missions.
"I am sure she will be fine if that is what you're worrying about." Rukia insisted.
Amaya nodded her head allowing herself to smile softly.
"I just hope we didn't give her false hope…" Amaya admitted; her smile fading.
It was Rukia's turn to sigh.
"Yeah, you and me both…"
Linake kept up her steady pace, running down the dirt pathway in front of the main Senkaimon. Linake turned abruptly to her left, barreling down the pathway that would take her to the one man that could give her clarification. Linake's mind raced as she ran, her breathing coming harsh and ragged as she tried to push back her own worry—it's okay, either I am or I'm not, not a big deal!
Linake slowed her steps, thinking that if by chance her friends were right, she probably shouldn't be exerting herself by running so hard. Linake braced herself remembering that now that she was back inside the soul society, she could use flash step.
What would have taken the woman another twenty minutes of running was cut down to a matter of minutes. Linake appeared just outside of the research and development building. Linake paused, placing her hand to her stomach, willing herself to try and calm down before she knocked on the door; she didn't want to give the impression that there was an emergency.
Linake gained control of her breathing, turning her head she looked around her surroundings, seeing a couple lower seated officers from other squads walking by her. When she met their gazes they both gave her a nod and a warm smile—it seemed that almost everyone had warmed up to her over the past six months, letting her know that she was no longer seen as just a human outsider.
Linake turned her head back to the giant metal doors in front of her and inhaled a deep breath—should I try and find Kenpachi before I do this? Linake shook her head, deciding she didn't want to get her husband's hopes up just in case her friends had been wrong.
Linake reached her right hand up and knocked loudly on the metal doors, holding her breath for a couple seconds before she heard the feint sound of footsteps on the other side. The sound of metal scarping against itself made Linake wince, it reminded her of nails on a chalkboard.
Linake stepped forward as the left door was pulled open. Akon stepped out a small smile spreading across his lips as his dark gaze studied her.
"Linake…what brings you to our side?" Akon asked.
"I need to speak with Captain Kurotsuchi!" Linake insisted.
Akon's brow lifted showing his apparent surprise but he didn't speak, instead, he moved to the side, gesturing for Linake to enter the building with his outstretched hand.
"I'm afraid my captain is in the middle of something, but I will be sure to let him know you have arrived." Akon explained as he secured the giant metal doors back in place.
"Okay. Tell him I am sorry to disturb him, but, it's kind of important." Linake replied.
Akon paused, his brow furrowing even more and this time he did speak.
"Is everything alright?" Akon asked.
Linake let out a shaky breath before she lowered her head, her gaze staring down at the concrete floor.
"I hope so…" Linake whispered as she reached her right hand up and rubbed it against her lower abdomen.
Akon caught the movement of the woman's hand making the squad 12 lieutenant's eyes widen for a brief second before he turned on his heel and without another word, Akon led Linake down the dimly lit hallway into his captain's main lab.
"So, now that we're back when are we going to request this meeting with the head captain?" Rukia asked; changing the topic of conversation from Linake's possible pregnancy to Amaya and Aizen.
Amaya let out a grunt, her brown eyes lifting, giving Rukia a look that pretty much said everything—she didn't want to request the meeting at all.
"You know Linake's not going to rest until you get the same treatment she's been given; and honestly, I agree with her." Rukia continued.
"I shouldn't have even brought it up." Amaya sighed.
"Why are you so content with trying to fade into the background all the time?" Rukia countered.
Amaya shrugged her shoulders.
"I guess I don't see the point in drawing even more attention to myself. I have enough of an issue because of the man I fell in love with." Amaya answered.
Rukia turned her head as the two of them made their way down the dirt pathway, intending to drop all of Linake's stuff off at the squad 11 barracks.
"Sosuke has proven that he is not the same man he was before. I can see it, so can Renji, and I believe even Captain Zaraki has come to the same conclusion. So it really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks; you should be able to have a ceremony." Rukia stated.
Amaya turned her gaze, studying the squad 13 captain's profile before she allowed herself to smile.
"Thanks Rukia."
The two women continued down the pathway, both of them lost within their own thoughts for a time before Amaya spoke again.
"Is it just me, or does this place look like a ghost town today?" Amaya asked.
Rukia's brown furrowed, realizing that there didn't seem to be very many officers walking around like their normally would be. As the pathway widened and the two women came to the squad 11 barracks they both turned their heads to one another.
"I don't think anyone is here…" Rukia stated before she jogged up the small staircase that led her to Captain Zaraki's quarters. Rukia reached out with her small hand and knocked loudly on the pocket door. Amaya climbed up the steps behind Rukia, her brow furrowing even deeper when she couldn't pick up on anyone else's internal thoughts.
"Nobody's here, Rukia." Amaya stated.
"Well that's strange, there is normally someone here." Rukia replied.
Amaya turned her head looking out around the area, it was almost as if every member of squad 11 had just disappeared—is Kenpachi celebrating somewhere?
"Should I see if the door is unlocked?" Rukia asked; feeling a bit awkward about entering Captain Zaraki's personal space without his or Linake's permission.
"Go ahead. They normally leave it unlocked; I've left stuff for Linake on their desk before." Amaya explained.
Rukia nodded her head before she reached out and pulled the pocket door open. The rich smell of sandalwood greeted her as she stepped inside the surprisingly clean room. Rukia smiled as she looked around; not ever having much of an opportunity to be inside Captain Zaraki's quarters.
"This isn't what I expected." Rukia half-laughed.
Amaya smiled, hearing the woman's internal thoughts as she sat the shopping bags she had been carrying down on the floor next to the desk. Rukia walked over draping the bagged up dress over the back of the wooden chair that sat in front of the large desk.
Amaya turned her head, her smile deepening as she noticed Linake's shelf on the opposite wall; it had taken Linake almost an hour in the human world to pick the damn thing.
"Where is Linake's telescope?" Rukia asked.
Amaya turned her head to Rukia before she answered.
"It's up on Sokyoku Hill; I guess she feels confident that nobody will mess with it." Amaya answered.
Rukia laughed.
"Yeah, well, with who her husband is, I am sure she won't have to worry." Rukia smiled as she walked forward, feeling like she had invaded the couple's privacy long enough.
Amaya followed the squad 13 captain back out onto the porch and slid the pocket door closed behind her before the two of them descended the stairs.
"Rukia! Amaya!"
Rukia's brow rose as she heard her husband's voice calling out to her from in the distance. Amaya turned her head sharply as the man's internal thought process flooded her mind; images of Aizen and Kenpachi locked in battle assaulting her, so vivid that it was like having a dream with her eyes wide open.
"Are you kidding me!?" Amaya yelled out loud before she took off in the direction Renji was walking from, not even bothering to stop and explain anything to Rukia before she flash stepped out of sight.
Rukia stood with her eyes wide and her lips parted; thinking she was about to find out the reason the squad 11 barracks had been deserted as she walked forward to meet her husband on the pathway.
"Where is Ichika?" Rukia asked him; wanting to make sure he hadn't drug their daughter out to somewhere dangerous.
Renji paused, meeting his wife's concern with a smile.
"Ichika's fine, she's still at Kuchiki manner." Renji explained.
Rukia nodded, feeling the tension in her body relax a bit, but still braced herself for whatever news her husband had yet to tell her.
"Are you going to tell me what has Amaya taking off in such a hurry? She looked pissed off…" Rukia asked.
Renji let out a half laugh before he replied.
"Captain Zaraki's celebrating." Renji answered.
"Why would that upset Amaya?" Rukia replied, her confusion apparent on her features.
"Rukia, Captain Zaraki and Aizen have been fighting each other for almost two hours straight." Renji explained.
"Are you serious? What happened? Why are they fighting!?" Rukia rambled; her mind jumping to the worst conclusion possible—had Aizen done something?
"What better way is there for Captain Zaraki to celebrate? Where is Linake? I decided to come and meet the three of you when I felt your spiritual pressure return." Renji stated.
"Uh…" Rukia hesitated as she averted her gaze from her husband—I'm not sure if I should say anything about the possibility of Linake being pregnant?
"Linake went to see Captain Kurotsuchi; I guess she had some questions for him." Rukia admitted, deciding to leave out the reason.
Renji tilted his head to the side, studying his wife's features, by the small smile she wore and the way she was looking up at him, her eyes bright and wide Renji could tell she was keeping some details form him.
"What aren't you telling me? What kind of questions would Linake have that were so important she would just take off the minute she got back?" Renji countered.
Rukia let out a sigh as her shoulders slumped—I need to work on my poker face!
"You can't tell anyone, and you better not open your mouth to Captain Zaraki until we know for sure; but, Linake might be pregnant." Rukia admitted.
Renji let out a loud laugh as he met his wife's gaze.
"Are you serious? Shit, that's great news! Wait, why would Linake go to Kurotsuchi and not Captain Kotetsu?" Renji asked.
"Your guess is as good as mine."
Rukia shrugged her shoulders at her husband before turning on her heel, not really concerned with what was going on with Captain Zaraki and Sosuke Aizen; Rukia knew between the two men neither one of them would come out fatally wounded in the process of their celebratory battle. Rukia shook her head as her smile deepened—it wouldn't be too much longer and Amaya would be putting an end to the celebration.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi paused, looking up from his computer station as his lieutenant stepped back into his personal lab space. Mayuri turned his body in the chair, facing the entrance way, his brow lifting when he caught sight of the woman standing behind Akon.
"Linake Zaraki is here to see you, Captain." Akon announced.
Mayuri raised his golden gaze to the man.
"I can see that much for myself…" Mayuri answered before standing from his chair.
Linake stepped forward, allowing her hand to drop from her stomach as she met the brilliant scientists gaze.
"Is it possible for Kenpachi and me to have children?" Linake blurted.
Mayuri let out a snort mixed with a half-laugh as he heard the woman's inquiry.
"I don't see why it wouldn't be possible, usually when intercourse is a common occurrence, it becomes inevitability." Mayuri answered.
Linake allowed her eyes to close, reminding herself of who it was she was speaking to—this man!
"I mean with me being human…" Linake explained.
"Ah, I see, well that does make your question appear less absurd." Mayuri replied as he turned his head away from her as if pondering an answer.
"The fact you are currently living within your soul form would lead me to the conclusion that is it more than possible." Mayuri answered with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Would you be willing to examine me and see if I am pregnant?" Linake asked as she stepped closer.
Over the months Linake had grown to respect the man that had once left her feeling uneasy in his presence; after all the trouble the man had gone through to ensure Amaya's transition into her soul reaper power; Linake could never go back to her old way of thinking.
Mayuri let out soft sigh as he raised his hands in the air as if he were saying why-the-hell-not.
"Akon, fetch the ultrasound!" Mayuri ordered his lieutenant before turning on his heel, his white captain's haori trailing behind him as he spun.
Linake walked forward feeling a sense of relief that he was willing to help her; to answer her questions.
"I take it you have reason to believe you are carrying the brute's child?" Mayuri asked as Linake turned her back to the exam chair Mayuri kept in the front of his lab space.
"Yes…" Linake answered honestly as she hoisted herself up onto the chair and folded her hands in her lap.
"Well, you've come to the right place; I'll be able to determine whether or not that is the case." Mayuri stated as Akon appeared at Linake's side.
Linake nodded before she looked over to her right, seeing what looked like a portable ultrasound machine that stood high on a metal pole; a strange looking monitor spread out about twenty-six inches at the top of the machine.
"Linake…" Mayuri called out to her.
Linake turned her head and met the man's gaze.
"If you wish for me to perform the examination you will need to lay back and lift the clothing you are wearing." Mayuri instructed her as if she were acting simpleminded.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry." Linake replied as she leaned back into the chair and with shaking nervous hands she pulled the black t-shirt she was still wearing up under her breasts before reaching down and unbuttoning her jeans.
Mayuri reached his own hands forward then, pulling at the denim and rolling it down just above the top of her pelvis. Linake moved her hands, bringing them back up to her chest as she allowed Mayuri to situate her to his own liking, knowing Mayuri had his own particular way of doing things.
Linake turned her head as Akon turned on the machine; the beeping sound altering Linake it had just been turned on.
"Have you eaten or drank anything in the last couple of hours?" Mayuri asked her bringing her attention back to him as she turned her gaze to look at his painted face.
"I haven't actually; I just got back from getting a dress for the ceremony." Linake answered.
Mayuri let out a sigh at her admission.
"In that case, it may be too difficult for us to see, but we shall try anyway." Mayuri shrugged before reaching out for the transducer; the small wand like contraption what would allow for the ultrasonic waves to create the image of Linake's abdominal cavity.
Linake held her breath as Mayuri leaned forward, his gaze dropping to her lower region once more.
"You have gained some weight since I last saw you." Mayuri announced.
Linake allowed her eyes to close; wondering how she had managed to go so long without noticing what everyone else around her seemed to—had Kenpachi noticed it? If he did, why didn't he say something? Linake jarred slightly as she felt the chill of a substance being applied to her skin.
"Oh…yes…that was probably rather cold, wasn't it?" Mayuri smiled.
Linake rolled her eyes at the man, deciding she wouldn't complain about his bedside manner when he was willing to do her a favor; something that was actually not even a part of his job description.
Linake turned her head, allowing her gaze to linger on the fuzzy monitor as Mayuri began to swirl the cold gel across her lower abdomen using the transducer. Mayuri leaned his frame in closer, seeming to be just as eager to find out the answer as Linake was.
For a couple minutes Linake wondered if her friends had been wrong—maybe I'm just eating too much and starting to get fat!?
"Ah! There!" Mayuri grinned as he lifted his left hand and pointed at the screen.
Linake sucked in a deep breath as she followed the man's pale white finer as he circled around what looked like a fuzzy circle, in the middle, Linake could make out what looked like a small little creature floating around—fuck, I am pregnant!
Mayuri turned his head, meeting Linake's gaze and grinned down at her.
"If I had to make an estimated guess, you are just now entering into your second trimester, around eighteen to twenty weeks, give or take." Mayuri explained.
"Wait, you mean I've been pregnant for almost five months?" Linake asked.
Mayuri turned his head back to the screen, his smile was wide showing off his teeth, his golden eyes lighting up as if the news of her pregnancy made him giddy—why would Captain Kurotsuchi be so happy about my being pregnant?
"I am almost certain of the time frame; in the next four months or so you and the brute will be welcoming your first bundle of joy." Mayuri answered.
"Four months? That's all?" Linake breathed; feeling a twinge of fear rise up her spine—we just got married!
Mayuri raised his right hand, pulling back the transducer from her skin and handed it back to Akon.
"Congratulations, Linake." Akon spoke softly before rolling the ultrasound machine back over to its storage area.
Mayuri reached out grabbing a small towel from a nearby shelf above Linake's head and handed it over to her. Linake accepted the towel knowing very well he had offered it to her to clean off the gel she had all over her stomach.
"Are you just shocked of the outcome, or is this hesitation I am seeing? Surely you would have known something was amiss when your cycle failed to arrive?" Mayuri asked bluntly.
Linake turned her head meeting Mayuri's gaze.
"My cycle hasn't been the same since I unlocked my soul reaper abilities." Linake admitted.
"Tch. And you didn't think of asking me or Captain Kotetsu?" Mayuri berated her.
Linake shook her head averting her gaze from the intense man.
"This is a lot to take in; I…I thought if I was pregnant, we would have more time before it came." Linake stated honestly.
Mayuri scoffed.
"As if it makes any bit of difference how much time it takes for it to arrive." Mayuri countered.
Linake allowed herself to laugh slightly at the man's logic—I guess he's right, I'm pregnant, doesn't matter if it's eight months or four months away; Kenpachi's going to be a father!
"Shouldn't I be showing more than this?" Linake asked abruptly.
Mayuri shrugged his shoulders as he rose both of his hands once more, extenuating what he was about to say.
"It would all depends on how far back you are carrying the child, mind you, that doesn't mean you will be able to hide it for much longer. I am sure if you were to stand sideways in front the mirror you would now notice how round you have actually become." Mayuri answered her.
"Fuck, how does a woman go this long without realizing this?" Linake blurted as she wiped the last bit of gel from her stomach then unrolled and tried to button her jeans back in place, just now realizing why it had been so hard to get the damn pants to button earlier that morning—shit! I hope I didn't hurt the baby!
Linake pulled her hands back, deciding she would let the button of her jeans stay undone just in case.
"Why haven't I felt it move?" Linake asked, thinking it was strange.
"I can assure you, you have nothing to worry about, and you may have felt its movement without even realizing it, now, onto another matter…" Mayuri started.
Linake raised her gaze to him as she pushed herself up on the chair—why is he looking at me like that?
"Would you be opposed to me studying your child after its birth?" Mayuri asked outright.
Linake's lips parted as she shook her head, not sure if she had understood him correctly—wait, maybe he has the same questions as I do!
"It's going to be really different isn't it?" Linake asked as she raised her hand and placed it over her stomach protectively.
"Oh yes, I am quite sure he will be very unique." Mayuri answered with a smile.
Linake's eyes widened as she met Mayuri's amused golden gaze.
"He?" she repeated.
Mayuri nodded indicating he had been able to determine the sex while studying the sonogram. Linake felt the welling of tears rise in her eyes as she laughed softly.
"I was just saying I wanted to have a son this morning…" Linake admitted.
Mayuri let out another sigh as he averted his gaze form the woman.
"Yes, well. Now you have one, nothing to get so emotional over…" Mayuri countered.
Linake lifted her hands, wiping at her eyes before she asked another question.
"Is he going to be half human?"
Mayuri paused, his gaze once again meeting hers, the side of his mouth lifting into a small smirk.
"That is a question we will have to see in due time; it would not be wise to rule out the possibility that your son will have the same ability as you; neither soul reaper nor human." Mayuri answered.
"What about his abilities? C…could he be as strong as Kenpachi?" Linake continued, her eyes widening at the thought.
Mayuri let out a small laugh as he stepped forward surprising Linake when he offered her his hand. Linake didn't hesitate, grasping Mayuri's hand and allowing him to assist her down from his exam chair.
"It seems that the two of us have the same questions; will the child be as strong as Zaraki? Will he have your abilities? Or, will he have a mixture of both?" Mayuri pondered aloud.
"Yes, those are all the questions running through my mind!" Linake admitted.
Mayuri released Linake's hand once she was stable on her feet and met the woman's gaze.
"We will find out in time all of the answers to these questions; for now, I think it would be best to deliver the news to your husband." Mayuri stated.
Linake smiled warmly up at Mayuri as she nodded.
"I think you're right. Thank you, Captain Kurotsuchi!" Linake smiled, feeling the absurd urge to hug the man who stood in front of her, but knew well enough her affection would only make the scientist feel uncomfortable.
"I'll walk you out, Mrs. Zaraki." Akon offered as he appeared next to her.
Linake smiled up at the lieutenant and nodded, turning her head she stole another glance over at Mayuri as he took a seat in his computer chair once again—I hope that man finds true happiness one day!
Linake lifted her hands to her stomach splaying both of her hands across feeling a completely foreign sensation wash over her as she followed Akon down the dimly lit hallway—I'm a mother!
"What the hell is going on here?" Amaya demanded as she appeared in the small meadow where Kenpachi and her lover both stood, still circling each other, both men covered in sweat and splotches of blood.
"Hey, Amaya…" Ikkaku greeted her as he stepped forward from the crowd.
Amaya now understood why there hadn't been anyone at the squad 11 barracks, they were all here, watching Kenpachi and Sosuke fight as they took turns passing around bottles of sake.
Amaya turned her heated brown gaze over to the squad 11 lieutenant before she turned her gaze back to her lover and mentally yelled at him through their link.
Aizen paused and turned his head, noticing that he hadn't imagined the sound of Amaya calling out to him. Kenpachi noticed the immortal man starting to look distracted and then turned his gaze as well.
"Tch. She looks pissed…" Kenpachi stated the obvious.
Aizen let out a soft sigh as a smile spread across his lips—my sweet Amaya has returned.
Amaya didn't hesitate, showing that she wasn't scared to put herself between the two men, she flash stepped in the middle of the meadow, her gaze lowering, seeing the worn down grass and deep divots from the men's feet sinking, not doubt a reaction to how hard they had been beating on one another.
"Have you two gotten this out of your system?" Amaya asked the two men, knowing very well that if she allowed herself to say what she wanted to out loud she would most likely only end up regretting it.
It wasn't Amaya's place to berate Linake's husband, Kenpachi was a warrior, known for his love of battle; what surprised Amaya the most was that her lover had taken part in a fight and by the looks of him, he had enjoyed himself.
"I guess we can call it a day…" Kenpachi grinned as he reached the back of his hand up to his face wiping the splatter of blood from his lips.
"Hold on, where's Linake?" Kenpachi demanded as he fully registered the situation—if Amaya was back, that meant his woman should be back!
Amaya turned her head, meeting Kenpachi's gaze before she answered.
"Linake went to go and speak with Captain Kurotsuchi on a personal matter."
Kenpachi's gaze narrowed, his lips parting as if the mention of the squad 12 captain had set off alarm bells for some reason. While Amaya tried her best to pull her power back but she was so shocked by the situation in front of her she had no other option but to hear the man's internal thoughts.
Kenpachi flicked his wrist, cleaning Aizen's blood from the blade of his Zanpakuto before he put it back in its sheath, all the while his mind racing a mile a minute—why did Linake go and see Kurotsuchi? I thought she was gonna wait to ask him about it? Hold on! Fuck!
Amaya shook her head as a soft smile spread across her lips, easing the tension from her body; it would seem that Kenpachi and Linake had actually had that talk after all, and now Kenpachi understood there was at least a possibility that Linake was already pregnant simply because she'd gone to talk with Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
"Where's the fire, Captain?" Ikkaku called out to Kenpachi as the man took off back in the direction of the Seireitei.
Kenpachi didn't answer his lieutenant, instead he picked up the pace, pushing himself to run even faster as his mind continued to race—did it finally happen? Am I gonna be a father?
Author's note: Apparently I can't math, I had it pointed out to me that the first posting of this chapter was off by two months when it came to the due date of Linake and Kenpachi's son, not sure how I managed to do that one, but it's been fixed. *sigh*
