mating season

Chapter Thirteen

Another week had passed since the birth of the cubs, and everyone was helping out with the little ones, between feeding them, burping them, changing diapers, and rocking them to sleep there was a lot to be done. Ishiin and the twins were still staying at the den with the new parents and the rest of the Arrancar family, Ishiin's help was much appreciated when it came to baby Kohaku's care. He took a lot of monitoring and caring for. He had been in that incubator on a respirator for the past week, and the feeding tube was still in place as well. However, today the plan was to finally take him off the respirator and let him breathe on his own. Szayel and Ishiin both agreed his lungs seemed strong enough to support themselves now.

Ichigo was sitting in the comfortable rocking chair in the nursery, rocking his first born son Akiyoshi. He smiled warmly at the little boy, who just stared up at his father with his big brown eyes. He loved holding his babies; it was so calming and tender. Even though they've only been here a week, it felt like a lifetime. He loved all of them more than his own life and would do anything for them, which he knew and would never question.

"Hey, babe," Grimmjow said from the doorway. He had been working on speaking softer since the babies were born. He woke them up several times with his loud, boisterous calls and was punished by Ichigo and forced to rock them all back to sleep by himself at three in the morning. Ah, the joys of parenthood. When Ichigo looked up at him, he smiled. "Ya dad's gonna stop the respirator. Ya gotta come be there."

Ichigo nodded to his mate. Grimmjow loved to all of his children, but he took it especially to heart that Kohaku was ill. He was at the little boy's side night and day between visits with his other babies. Oh yeah, Kohaku was definitely going to be a daddy's boy. Ichigo stood and put Akiyoski in the bassinette next to the crib before leaning in and kissing his forehead.

Grimmjow put an arm around Ichigo's waist and pulled him close and kissed his lips. "I love ya, Kitten." He nuzzled Ichigo's cheek and made a purring sound that Ichigo had come to love.

Ichigo chuckled. "I love you, too, Grimm." They walked together down the hall to the room where Kohaku had been since his birth. Both Ishiin and Szayel were waiting for the parents to arrive and were standing by the incubator where Kohaku lay.

"You ready for this?" Ishiin asked the parents. He smiled at his son, and his new son-in-law, already knowing they were beyond ready for this moment. When all he received was eager nods, he turned to Szayel and they began the process. The ventilator was shut off, the mechanical sounds stopped. Everyone held their breath as they watched the tiny chest, waiting for it to inflate. It seemed like an eternity, but it finally did, and there was a huge sigh of relief from everyone.

"Thank goodness," Szayel breathed almost silently. He never really liked to admit warm, squishy feelings but he had grown quite attached to the cubs and he desperately wanted this little one to do well.

Ichigo turned in to Grimmjow and pressed his face into his chest. He cried silent tears of joy and relief that began to soak the black shirt Grimmjow was wearing. Grimmjow wrapped his arms around Ichigo tightly and held him to his chest. He kissed the top of Ichigo's head and watched as Ishiin suctioned Kohaku's mouth. He then held the tubing while Szayel removed the tape holding the tubes in place. More suctioning as Ishiin moved the tube down Kohaku's esophagus. Ishiin deflated the balloon at the end of the tube. There was a small coughing sound and a then a cheer from Szayel and Ishiin, obviously this meant the cough was good. Ishiin removed the intubation tubing slowly from the little boy's mouth and throat. If he never had to see that tubing again, it would be too soon. The scariest looking equipment was removed and now the only tubing left on the small boy was the feeding tube.

"Ichigo," Grimmjow said softly. "It's over, the tube's out." When Ichigo started to pull away, Grimmjow grinned at him and nodded at him to go over to the little boy. Ichigo didn't have to be told twice. He quickly went to his son's side and looked to his father, who nodded to him.

"You can hold him," Ishiin smiled. "He won't break."

Carefully, Ichigo slipped his hands underneath the small body and pulled him up into his arms. The boy was lighter than his other two children, but he was just as warm. Kohaku made a small sound of annoyance at the sudden movement but Ichigo kissed his forehead and held him against his chest. He looked to Grimmjow, his eyes full of tears again. He'd waited a long week for this moment; finally he had his Kohaku to himself, no machines to keep them apart.

"Kohaku," Ichigo croaked before the tears began to stream down his cheeks freely. Grimmjow was suddenly behind them, his arms snaking around Ichigo's waist, pulling his boys close. Ishiin smiled and then turned away to clean the instruments and throw away the soiled equipment, giving the parents their space.

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Kohaku had to keep his feeding tube for the time being because he was still not feeding on his own. But he was moved in to the nursery with the other cubs. It finally felt right, to have all three cubs in one place like it was always supposed to be.

Renji and Rukia were in the nursery with the babies currently, while the two new parents were enjoying a late lunch after all the morning's excitement. Ichigo's friends had been helpful and caring after they got over their initial shock of the substitute soul reaper's news of being pregnant. Now Rukia was calling herself an aunt and Renji was quickly growing attached to the little ones as well. He was beginning to ache and want a kid of his own, which he'd never even considered before.

Renji held little Akiyoshi in his arms while Rukia held her "niece", Masaki. Renji looked over to Rukia and said, "Hey, Rukia, do you think your brother will ever have a kid?"

Rukia raised an eyebrow at Renji's blunt question. "Well, the clan wants him to. Actually, they're demanding he have an heir. But of course, he doesn't want to get involved with another marriage. So they're trying to set one up for him." She paused. "But I think he's always wanted a child, and if Hisana had been healthier I think they would have tried for one. Why do you ask?"

"Uh, no reason, just curious," Renji replied quickly, looking down at the baby in his arms. He bet Byakuya would make a great dad, despite him being very cold with him and other adults he had a soft spot for kids. Just look at how he treated Yachiru, always treating her to candy. It's like he was a different person when he was around kids.

"Renji, you really do love my brother, don't you?"

Renji turned to look at Rukia and opened his mouth to deny it, but stopped himself. Why lie to his best friend? It was futile anyway; she could see through him, there was no point in lying. "Y-yeah." He nodded slowly. "It doesn't matter though; Byakuya could never love someone like me. You know, some street rat, from the lower Rukon." He stopped himself. "Well, Hisana was different; she was special, like you, Rukia." He smiled at his best friend.

Rukia burst out into a fit of laughter. "You're so stupid, Renji." She smacked the back of his head lightly and then just smiled at him warmly. Her best friend really was too thick-headed for his own good sometimes. He saw what he wanted to see. "You don't know what my brother is going through. Or what he feels for you. You should just, tell him how you feel."

Now it was Renji's turn to laugh. "No thanks! I like being in one piece! I tell him anything and he'll butcher me with those beautiful pink petals of his!"

"You're overreacting," Rukia rolled her eyes. "Doofus." She suddenly looked concerned. "I bet he is worried where we are. We have been gone a while now. We should send him a hell butterfly."

"Aw, crap, you're right. He's going to be mega pissed," Renji sighed, running a hand through his long red ponytail. "But, you should send it; he's less likely to flip his shit on you."