Red, flowing everywhere. What had he done? What had he forced himself into? He was floating in a river of blood, above him an all encompassing darkness stretching for what seem like forever. Suddenly the brightest pinprick of light appeared before him, growing brighter and fiercer with every minute.
He knew, without a doubt the light was his babies, his little children. Fear rained down on him, he could feel the blood turn ice cold around him. They were in trouble, he had ruined them with his own stupidity, his little babies.
"I got this King" a watery voice rang out from nowhere, Shiro? The light above him suddenly warped. A tidal wave of terror simultaneously crashing around him, were his children dying? The light began to curl into a tight sphere, slight red and black tendrils mixing in with the sphere.
He relaxed, calming instantly, it was protection, Shiro was protecting his babies. At least as much as he could until he died. The strange world shook all around him, this was it, this was the end for him and his babies, a dazzling blue light appeared slightly to the right of his children.
He could feel the light calling out to him, calling his name, it sounded desperate and scared. His body lifted out of the blood and started hurtling past his children and towards the blue light. He didn't try and fight it, he knew that whatever was happening to him was something good.
Ichigo awoke with a start, panting heavily and drenched in sweat, nausea swept over him like an impending army and he bolted to the bathroom. He was sick and tired of this morning sickness, it really took a lot out of him. It had been a week since the berries incident and him and Grimmjow where making progress.
Ichigo wasn't scared of him so much anymore as he was just wary, though Grimmjow had proven a great support for Ichigo. Who was still coming to terms with everything that had happened to him in the past month. Ichigo had decided that even though he was hurt by Grimmjow in the beginning the man had more than made up for it in the following weeks.
That wasn't to say Ichigo had forgotten or necessarily forgiven Grimmjow yet. He just figured that Grimmjow was more or less the only true ally he had within this place. Knowing that if Grimmjow wouldn't protect him because he wanted to his instincts would. Guaranteeing Ichigo's safety.
The week had started off rocky, Ichigo not making eye contact or even speaking with Grimmjow, and only allowing Grimmjow to touch him whilst they were going to sleep. They had made enough progress by the end of the week that Ichigo was talking and making eye contact, even allowing Grimm small touches here and there.
Ichigo was still hurling himself into the toilet when he felt Grimmjow behind him, softly rubbing his back, trying to sooth the discomfort in Ichigo's tummy. As much as he hated to admit Ichigo found comfort in the tender action and it helped considerably with his morning sickness as well. Ichigo had found over the past couple of days that, the closer to Grimmjow the better he felt.
It disgruntled him to know that he needed Grimmjow, pissed him off beyond belief too. But no matter how pissed off Ichigo got, he had decided that the most important thing to him where his babies. He was going to live for them, to take care of them and protect them, and if that meant letting Grimmjow help him, then so be it.
"W-water" Ichigo croaked out as he finished emptying his stomach, Grimmjow immediately leaving to get him some from the fridge in the kitchen. God he was exhausted, his stomach was slightly raised as he had started to show within the week. He slept like the dead every night, only to be rudely awakened in the morning by the urge to be ill. All he did during the day was read Grimmjow's manga and eat all of his food, with the occasional violent burst resulting in Grimmjow having a few select items thrown at him or his immediate vacation of the room.
It was an alright set up and Ichigo loved the fact that even though wary of the bluenette, he no longer feared him. After finding out (courtesy of Szayel) that beta's even though submissive, where ultimately the strongest of the pair, Ichigo had gotten enough confidence in himself to start demanding things from his mate. Of course he would never push things too far, but he had fun with it none the less.
Things where finally looking up, at least now he felt like he could get through this horrid mess, for his children at least.
XXXX
Grimmjow awoke to being flung of the bed, landing on the floor with a thud, he looked over to see a smidge of orange running into the bathroom. Ichigo had been having bad morning sickness all week, and Grimmjow couldn't help but feel intensely guilty. It looked painful and Grimmjow winced every time Ichigo's body heaved. Ouch.
After being barked an order to fetch water Grimmjow walked towards the kitchen. At least Grimmjow knew that Ichigo wanted the cubs now, he had felt it through their link. He'd also felt Ichigo's wary acceptance of him and he was more than determined now to prove Ichigo that he was going to protect him and love him like any proper mate should. He wanted to talk to Ichigo about everything that had happened but he didn't want to push the berry away right after having just gained talking status again.
He brought Ichigo's water to him and proceeded to rub circles onto the berries back as he sculled the water like a lifeline. Ichigo dropped his head down onto his knees and sighed, this was really taking its toll on his berry, but Grimmjow couldn't help but be a little excited with the prospect of it being because Ichigo was having cubs.
Ichigo, had gotten up to brush his teeth by this point and Grimmjow worked his way over to wrap his arms around the orangette's waist. He began to purr deeply and slowly rub Ichigo's tiny baby bump with affection. Sending as much love through their bond as he could to try and reassure Ichigo of his intentions. Ichigo was a bit disgruntled at the proximity but relaxed at the deep purr coming from his mate. Grimmjow smiled and softly kissed Ichigo's temple as his mate relaxed into the embrace and lightly purred himself.
Ichigo had adapted to being a hybrid very well, better than most in Grimmjow's opinion. The bluenette just figured that because Ichigo still felt more or less like himself then he was fine with being something different. Grimmjow secretly new that Ichigo was grateful of the change though. He knew that Ichigo had always worried about how he would have kids and that he loved the fact that he was having some now, regardless of who their father was.
Grimmjow picked his berry up and brought him over to the bed again, placing him gently on the soft cushy nest. Then he retrieved some food for Ichigo, placing a small glass of milk and a jam sandwich on the berries lap. Ichigo grinned and devoured all the things set before him. Lately jam and milk where the only things Ichigo could eat without throwing up at the sight of it. Although Grimmjow soon suspected that the meat stage would be kicking in soon. If what Szayel had told him was true, Ichigo would crave bloody meat soon, but only for a short period of time before he went into another phase.
Ichigo finished up his meal and lay back down into the cosy nest that was their bed. Luckily Ichigo seemed to be in a pretty docile mood today, probably from exhaustion having not slept very well the night before. The boy had tossed and turned, fidgeting beyond belief, claiming that he just couldn't get comfortable. He eventually succumbed to rest in the early hours of the morning, sprawled on top of Grimmjow with his head tucked under his chin.
It had been a long night for both of them, so no doubt it would be a lazy day filled with cat naps and snuggling. Grimmjow didn't mind in the least, he climbed onto the bed and settled himself over Ichigo's side, effectively spooning the berry and locking him into a cage of muscled limbs. Ichigo purred quietly and happily drifted in and out of consciousness, napping the time away.
Grimmjow felt content, but questions and statements where bugging him, demanding they be said and ask. He shifted a little next to Ichigo and the younger grumbled, turning fully to face Grimmjow on the bed, so they were chest to chest.
"What is it?" Ichigo growled out, scowling softly.
"N-nothing baby" Grimmjow smiled nervously, pinned under the fiery stare of the orangette, he wasn't ashamed to say he was a little scared...but only a little.
"Don't give me that shit, Grimm, I can feel you thinking and I want to sleep, so you either tell me what's up or I kick you in the balls and through you the fuck out" Ichigo demanded letting a deep growl rubble from his chest.
Grimmjow sweat-dropped, he was really scared now, but that was completely understandable, no one wanted to get their beta angry, in fear that they actually would be castrated.
"I-I just wanted to know if you were excited?" Grimmjow stuttered out.
"About what?" Ichigo said quickly fear licking at their link softly.
Grimmjow stroked a hand through Ichigo's hair, "about the cubs" he whispered with a small smile.
"Oh", Ichigo calmed relaxing into Grimmjow's hold and purring at Grimmjow's actions, a small smile spread across his lips. "Yeah, I really am, out of everything that's happened I can say with confidence that I'm happy about having them" Ichigo said softly with a small touch to his abdomen.
"I've thought of some names!" Grimmjow said with clear excitement and enthusiasm jumping up from the bed and plucking a book from the shelf. Coming back down to Ichigo on the bed he opened the book to a tagged page.
"Now Szayel doesn't know what we are going to be having yet, but he leant me this, so I just chose two boys names and two girls names so far" Grimmjow said smiling at the book as he circled the names with a pen from the bedside table.
Ichigo stared at Grimmjow, slightly dumbfounded at the man's excitement. The goofy grin that Grimmjow wore was slightly enduring and if Ichigo was honest with himself he found Grimmjow's enthusiasm adorable. He was happy that the man was as excited as he himself was.
"Now for the two boys names I chose Hikaru and Kei and for the girls I chose Hotaru and Emiko," he said smiling down at Ichigo hopefully.
"Whaddiya think Ichi?" Grimmjow asked, smiling broadly, a bright twinkle in his eyes.
Ichigo giggled and letting a small smile grace his features he sent a small little burst of happiness through their link. "I think they are wonderful, although ironically enough I do like the name Aoi..." Ichigo said tapering off quietly, a slight blush dusting his cheeks. Grimmjow laughed and settled himself closer to Ichigo on the bed, allowing the carrot top to snuggle himself closer to Grimmjow and his choc mint scent.
"That sounds lovely Ichi," Grimmjow chuckled snuggling into Ichigo cheerfully. They both sighed happily and began to softly purr together the prospect of their babies growing healthy inside Ichigo making them bathe in happy waves.
"I had a dream last night," Ichigo broke the silence softly, "I was in this red river and there was a light above me, I knew it was the babies. Then my inner hollow said he would take care of them for me and the light became a sphere. Shiro protected them when I-... the accident happened, and he saved them for me" Ichigo said with a slight wobble in his voice.
Grimmjow gripped him tighter and held him close, sending reassuring vibes to Ichigo. Who wasn't breaking down so much as he was shuddering at the thought of what could have happened.
"I know I haven't said it, but I know you are going to take care of us, and I just want you to know that I appreciate it, even if I still haven't technically forgiven you yet. But whatever happens I want you to know that I will stick with you for the sake of the children and their protection. But if you put one toe out of line against them, I will not hesitate to kill you...slowly and painfully. Understand?" Ichigo finished his speech with the promise of pain.
"I will protect you and the cubs Ichigo, I love you and I won't let anything or anyone hurt you or our babies" Grimmjow told Ichigo with a deadly serious tone. Grimmjow dropped his head slowly to peck a soft kiss on Ichigo's forehead. Ichigo rolled his back to Grimmjow but still remained in his secure hold, "you better Grimmjow Jeagerjaques, or you'll wish I'd killed you sooner" Ichigo said softly before nodding off into another catnap.
Grimmjow sighed and cuddled his berry closer, he would guard his berry and cubs with his life, even against Aizen if that's what it took for them to be safe. With that he slipped into the cat nap with Ichigo, ready to face their lazy day.
It was just strangely coincidence that Grimmjow had guessed their fate without even realising.
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Love, Usakko-chan!