Adult-FanFiction.org : Bleach

Prize of Victory	By : NovaAlexandria Category: Bleach > Het - Male/Female Views: 87205 -:- Recommendations : 8 -:- Currently Reading : 8
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach nor make profit from this snippet

Chapter List
- 22
- 23
- 24
I am still trying to figure out this new text program so the chapter may refresh a few times while I try and get SINGLE spaces between each paragraph instead of double, triple and none……….
Warnings: None really. Not that dark of a chapter.

He knew speaking up was a risk, but it was one he was willing to take. Ever since Nanao had begun teaching Karin, a light had returned to her eyes that hadn’t been there since before the war.
She was exactly what Aizen was looking for; a woman capable of running a division with an efficiency to match any of the remaining, and former, Taichou. If running a division would bring more of that light back into her eyes, then he would gladly take the punishment for speaking up.
It wasn’t actually a rule per say, but Aizen had ordered his subordinates to ‘keep their pets in line’ during the first meeting and the few times others had spoken out with harsh words at the beginning they had been severely punished.
Ukitake knew the only real reason Aizen was going to punish him now was to make it seem like he wasn’t playing any favourites, that the rules applied to them all. The others filed out, leaving him alone with Aizen.
“An interesting choice. I must admit I had almost forgotten Starrk was holding on to her.” Aizen commented, taking a sip of tea from the cup Unohana had refilled before leaving herself.
“As you know, Aizen-kami, she is well experienced in running a division.”
Aizen gave a nod of his head, quite familiar with what Ukitake was implying. She had practically ran the 8th division for years before the fallout after the war.
“Regrettably, rules do apply to everyone and without rules there would be chaos.”
Ukitake inclined his head, ready to receive whatever punishment Aizen was going to lay upon him for speaking out of turn. It would not be harsh for although Aizen was now a Kami, Ukitake had years of experience that would be wasted on breaking him. Even Aizen admitted to himself that Ukitake was a valuable commodity with the years of knowledge he held.
After the fall out Ukitake and Unohana were now the two oldest surviving Shinigami. It would be a waste to kill them off.
“A few lashes should suffice.” Aizen commented, setting his now empty tea cup down. “Before those though, should Ise-san decline, who else would do well do you think?”
“Byakuya, of course, if you could convince Yammy-sama to let him go. Rangiku might do well as well, but I do not believe Nnoitra-sama would let her. I wish I could vouch for Soi Fon, but I do not believe she has the personality to remain impartial. Yumichika might do well. I understand he was the one doing all the paperwork and such for the former 11th.” Ukitake answered honestly.
He wished he could speak for Renji, but there was nothing left of the man after what Szayel had done to him. Nemu was too much of a follower to lead a division and Toshiro and Unohana already ran divisions. That pretty much summoned up the survivors other than the humans and he didn’t think they would be up for running a division, nor would a division take them seriously.
He could have suggested Gin as well, but he knew that the silver haired man was a touchy spot with Aizen so left the name out; even though he was sure Gin could easily lead a division.
“I might take those into consideration. Now than, twenty should suffice.”
Ukitake stood up and disrobe before leaning against the wall for support. The kido whip slammed into his back and legs the promised twenty times, leaving shallow but painful wounds. He would definitely be walking with a limp for a few days.
There was no unnecessary force, in fact the lashes were rather shallow and he grimaced with the pain, but was no where near to screaming in it. After the twentieth lash fell he took a few deep breaths, trying to get over the stinging before he dared to move.
Since the lashes were shallow there was very little blood, but he still only pulled his Hakama back on. The rest of his clothing he folded over an arm, bowed to Aizen, and departed.
Szayel smiled at him as they passed in the corridor, the pink haired Esapda being called into the room by Aizen. Other then that the corridors were empty. Ukitake made his way back to his home to see if he could get Nanao to tend to the lashes.
She wouldn’t be permitted to heal them, but getting sick from an infection would be foolhardy and they did need to be tended to.

Aizen watched Ukitake leave, indeed walking with a slight limp from the stings on the back of his legs. Had anyone else dared to speak up the punishment would have been far worse, both for them and their Master, but every time Ukitake dared to speak it was with wisdom.
Not that Aizen didn’t permit the ’prisoners’ to speak to him, they were required to give division reports and such to him regularly. The no speaking rule was mostly for these meetings from the first year where people like Renji and Soi Fon had some rather unpleasant things to say about him and to him.
Indeed those first meetings had been a riot, and kind of fun Aizen admitted to himself. Still, there were lots of interesting things going on now too and he called Szayel in.
The former 8th, now proud 7th, entered the room with a flourish and bowed to him.
“You summoned me Kami?” Szayel asked.
“Indeed. There has finally been confirmed reports of a cross species mating.”
Szayel’s eyes, and entire face, lit up with glee. Aizen could see the clockwork in the mans brains spinning.
“Who? When? I must…”
Aizen merely raised a hand and Szayel obediently snapped his mouth shut.
“The father is Grimmjow, so please be careful. It would be annoying to have to replace the head of the Science Division because you upset a superior.”
Szayel seemed only slightly annoyed, but other wise non pulsed.
“The mother,” at this Aizen paused and couldn’t help but to smirk with the irony of it, “is Kurosaki Karin.”
Szayel’s eyes did widen, for he understood the significance in that. His grin widened in undisguised glee at the thought.
“As this is the first confirmation, observation only. I would be most displeased to find dear Karin-chan,” a pause, “altered in anyway. Am I understood Szayel.”
Szayel pouted, but gave a nod.
“I understand, Kami.” Szayel bowed to him. “I shall start immediately.”
Aizen waved the Arrancar away. Szayel bowed one last time and retreated with a very fast pace of barely contained excitement. In fact Aizen felt the other launch into a Sonido the moment he was on the other side of the door.
No doubt he would have a full report the next day on everything the Scientist knew about the pregnancy by morning.

“Ukitake-san, what happened?” Yuzu gasped when he walked through his front door.
Nanao was no where to be seen and a quick scan found her and her daughter in their quarters. A quick time check confirmed Nanao was most likely putting Hana down for a nap.
“Nothing serious.” He tried to brush the young girls concern away.
The scowl that erupted on Yuzu’s face made her look more cute than angry.
“Nonsense, come over here and let me clean those. You wont tell me no matter how much I badger you will you?” She huffed.
She didn’t try to force him to sit, but did order him to take his Hakama off so she could see his legs. Apparently she was very perceptive when it came to injuries for she had noticed his awkward walking.
“I spoke up during today’s meeting. Aizen-kami made a rule a long time ago we were to keep quite unless addressed. Since he can’t show favourites, he had to ‘punish’ me for it.” Ukitake sighed.
“Sounds stupid.” Yuzu commented shortly before he felt a warm rag touch the first stripe with a distinct sting.
He hissed, but Yuzu didn’t pull the alcohol soaked cloth away or stop cleaning the cuts. She moved with the proficiency of any trained nurse, tending to the wounds and not at all concerned he was standing in the kitchen wearing nothing more than his Fundoshi.
Nanao came in while Yuzu was tending to the cuts on his legs, took one look at him, and sighed.
“I figured as much when Starrk-san spoke to me earlier.”
“Did you accept?” He asked hopefully.
“I told him I wanted some time to think about it. I do have Hana-chan to care for.”
“Think about what?” Yuzu asked.
“If I should take over a division.” Nanao answered.
“I don’t mind watching her.” Yuzu quickly supplied. “She is so adorable.”
“Yes, but I am not sure Grimmjow-san plans on staying here for long.” Nanao pointed out.
“Well, Starrk-san seems to like taking care of her too.” Yuzu added.
The two of them looked at her in disbelief.
“Oh he does a good job of hiding it, but he gets a little twinkle in his eyes when she’s around. I caught him watching Lilinette-san and Hana-chan playing together the other day with a soft little smile.” Yuzu admitted.
“Well…” There was a hint of indecision in Nanao’s voice.
Clearly she wanted to and yet concern for her daughter was holding her back.
“You could always bring her to work as well. It’s mostly just paperwork and training the troops.” Ukitake pushed lightly.
She needed this; something to focus on other than keeping his estate clean where she had time to think all day over the losses from the war.
“I think I will accept.” She finally said.
He smiled softy shortly before wincing in pain as Yuzu poured more alcohol on one of the deeper lashes on the back of his thighs.
“Definitely worth it.” He thought.
He could already see Nanao’s mind whirling into division running set up and schedules as a soft frown touched her features and her eyes had a far away look in them. No doubt about it, this was definitely something she needed now that Hana was older and more independent.

Grimmjow still hadn’t found a place acceptable to his taste and so they remained at Starrk’s. The Espada didn’t seem to mind the addition of them to the Estate and had made no signs or hints he would like them to move on.
Currently, they were all gathered at the front door as Nanao stood nervously wearing a fresh, new Shinigmai uniform covered by a white Haori with the Kanji for 5 in the diamond on the back.
She stood tugging at the sleeve of her Haori nervously until Ukitake brushed her hand away and offered her a confident smile.
“Good luck, Nanao-san.” Yuzu cheered.
“You will do fine.” Karin assured her.
“There is nothing to be nervous about. You had ran a division for years.” Ukitake smiled softly at her.
“Still…. What if they don’t like me?”
“Nonsense.” Yuzu offered her own charming smile. “Don’t worry a thing about Hana-chan, we are going to spend the day making Origami.”
“Bye bye, ‘ka-san.” Hana waved cheerfully.
Ukitake and Nanao headed out, leaving the three of them at the door waving. Once they were out of sight Yuzu grabbed Hana’s hand and the two disappeared back inside. Karin stood at the door a moment longer before getting ready to head back inside herself.
She paused though when she noticed two people walking up the path towards the gate. One was clearly an Espada judging by the power and feel of his reiatsu. The other seemed to be a female Shinigami, granted not one of Taichou strength but still up there.
“Former Fuktuaichou?” Karin guessed correctly.
The woman felt kind of different to her, like her reiatsu had been deliberately altered. It was weird and Karin felt her figurative hackles go up as the two approached the gate. The pink haired one was smiling while the woman seemed stoic and walked with her hands clasped before her.
“Can I help you?” She asked as they stopped before her.
“Indeed, I believe I have finally found who I am looking for, my own fault for letting my excitement get the better of me. I had never expected you had moved.”
“Excuse me?” Karin asked.
“You are Kurosaki Karin, yes?”
“Depends on who is asking.” She crossed her arms and glared at him.
“Szayel Aporro Granz, head of Research and Development, 7th Espada.” He introduced himself, arms held wide and bowing ever so slightly.
Karin frowned, feeling a bit of apprehension rise. This did not bode well and she unconsciously found herself gathering her reiatsu about her.
“You are indeed, Kurosaki Karin?” Szayel asked again.
She didn’t answer, she wasn’t going to let this creature know who she as.
“Karin, why are you still at the gate?” Lilinette asked as the Arrancar walked up behind her. “Oh, Szayel, what are you doing here?”
Karin could have face palmed, but the truth was out now, and Szayel had a wide grin on his face as his eyes lit up with delight.
“Aizen-kam has requested I run a few,” a pause, “scans to see how our dear mother to be is coming along.”
Lilinette looked at him confused and Karin felt a growl rise. As far as she knew only a select few knew she was pregnant. Not even her sister knew yet. She hadn’t been able to find the words to tell anyone else.
“Mother?” Lilinette looked at her in confusion.
“I am Karin.” She confirmed, stepping forward. “And I hate to break it to you, but I sure as hell will not be undergoing any sort of ‘tests’ you might want to run.” She said firmly.
“My dear, you have no say in the matter.”
“All I have to do is raise my reiatsu and Grimmjow will be here faster than you can blink to see what is going on.”
“You don’t seem to realize that there is no choice in the matter. My orders come from Aizen-kami himself.”
She felt a spike of fear run up her spine. Drawing Aizen’s attention was the last thing she wanted. Briefly she wondered how in the seven hells he had even found out she was with child. The only people who knew was herself, Grimmjow, Starrk and Unohana.
Unohana. Aizen’s ‘wife.’ Of course she would have reported it. She would have had too.
She did not want to get anyone into trouble. She had seen Ukitake’s back and that was Aizen being nice. She didn’t want to know what he would do to her or Grimmjow, more him than her as she doubted Aizen would chance harming her and in the process her child, should she refuse.
“Starrk never mentioned anything about this.” Lilinette frowned.
“I don’t care what Aizen wants, I am not going to permit myself to be experimented on by the likes of you.” Karin growled.
“There is no need to fear. I will only be running some scans. I am afraid I am not permitted to do anything else at this time.” He actually looked disappointed.
Karin licked her lips nervously.
“I could always just go tell Aizen-kami you refused to co-operate.” Szayel turned as if to walk away.
“Just scans, right?” Karin asked.
“No tests that will in anyway alter your being.” Szayel promised.
Karin gave her head a small nod.
“Lilinette, can you let Starrk-san know where I am going in case Grimmjow comes back before I do.”
“Yeah, sure.” Lilinette still frowned at the two of them, but did return inside the Estate.
“Wonderful. Follow me to my lab please. This shouldn’t take longer than a few hours.”
Karin fell into step behind the Espada. The woman pulled out a clipboard and pen and followed on the other side of Szayel like a silent shadow.
“Forgive my excitement, but I simply can not contain it. May we please begin now? There are several questions I have.”
“Yeah, sure. Why not?” Karin agreed. “But if I get a hint that anything you are about to do will threaten my child or myself there will be very little of you left by the time Grimmjow shows up to see why my reiatsu is spiked.
“Sigh, I already told you I will do nothing to alter you or your child. I do not wish to incur Aizen-kami’s displeasure. Now, about how long have you been pregnant?”
“Just over a month.” Karin answered.
“And the regular gestation period of your race?”
“Approximately nine months.”
“Would you happen to know Grimmjow’s approximate base period?”
“What?” She asked, truly confused by that question.
“Different base hollows have different gestation periods, much like the creatures we are born into.” Szayel explained.
“Oh. Well he said he was a panther and I know a cat’s gestation period is 2 months, but I don’t feel nor look like I am halfway through.”
“Panthers have 3 months. We must do an ultrasound, and of course some blood work.”
Szayel started mumbling something about various other tests for a moment that the woman recorded on her clip board.
“Were you impregnated before or after the Claim?”
“Before.” Karin admitted.
“Hmm. Note, Claiming may have an adverse affect, run test with un-Claimed partners later.” Szayel spoke some more to the woman as she jolted down what he said on the clip board.
“How would you describe the level of sexual activity?”
“Very active.” She admitted with a bit of a blush.
“Good Good. Does fertility run high in your family.”
“I guess. I mean I have an older brother and twin sister.”
“A twin!? Fraternal or Identical?” He demanded with far too much excitement.
“Fraternal. She doesn’t have any of the reiatsu like my brother or I have.”
“Nemu, make a note to test the subjects reiatsu levels when we get to the lab.”
“Hai, Szayel-sama.” Nemu responded in a monotone voice.
“You are human, correct?”
“Well, yeah.”
“Yet your brother has portrayed Shinigami and Hollow capabilities. Nemu, add a full spectrum blood test to the list.”
“Hai, Szayel-sama.”
Karin answered his questions, most of them ones she was expecting, others that she wondered what it had to do with the experiment at all. They eventually reached the research facility.
She was honestly expecting some sort of secret lab in a cave or basement, but this structure was actually wide open and appeared to be made mostly of glass. Inside dozens of people, both Arrancar and Shinigami, darted around working on various experiments.
There was no strained relationships here. Apparently the survivors from the 12th had adapted very quickly to their new head. The Shinigami didn’t even wear their traditional robes, but rather white lab coats with Szayel’s brand on them.
“It was a most pleasant surprise to find a fully equip lab with competent staff. I hardly had to terminate any of them.” He commented when he noticed her looking around.
“Nemu, please lead our guest to examination room 4. I will join you shortly.”
“Hai, Szayel-sama.” Nemu bowed and led Karin around the work stations to a hallway and eventually to a sliding glass door with the number 4 on it.
It was a fully equip examination room with it‘s own set of equipment. Any Living World doctor’s wet dream.
“Please strip, Karin-san.” Nemu requested, holding out a hospital robe for her.
“Yeah, sure.” Karin muttered.
She walked over to a corner and changed clothing. The room, while sterile, was surprisingly comfortable, warm and brightly lit. Karin recognized most of the equipment, and that help to ease her slightly.
They ran her through all the expected test, but the most interesting one was the Ultrasound. She wasn’t expecting to see much of anything yet, but there it was, a picture of her baby as if she was already three or more months pregnant.
Karin stared at the picture they had printed off for her in shock.
“This can’t be right.” She murmured.
“Are you doubting my skills as a scientist?” Szayel asked with a hurt voice.
“No. I mean. At this point I should still only have an egg. The baby shouldn’t be this developed yet.” She frowned at the picture. “Unless I have been pregnant for longer. I could have gotten knocked up right after my last period. Perhaps it has been two months and just growing a bit faster.”
Her hands went to her stomach and while she hadn’t really noticed it before, there was a definite bump, small though it was.
“Well, I would guess your child is taking after the father than.” Szayel suggested. “Which means I will want weekly updates.”
“Are you saying I will give birth in two months?” Karin gapped at him.
“Indeed. Although why you are complaining is beyond me. My understanding is that woman hate being pregnant. You should be thankful you will only have two more months to go instead of seven.” He pointed out.
She had to admit he got her there. She really wasn’t looking forward to months of a bloated belly and swollen feet. He ran some more test and scans while she pondered her oncoming baby.
She was going to have to tell the others soon, that was for sure. At the min the baby would be here in two months. She suddenly stiffened. Something wasn’t right. Her eyes darted around the room and she noticed her reiatsu was being drawn in four different vents.
Most would not have even noticed the drain was so small, but she could actually SEE it happen.
“What the fuck are you doing to me?” She shouted, jumping off of the bed and falling into a defensive stance.
He actually looked shock that she had noticed.
“What ever do you mean?” He asked innocently.
“I warned you, bastard.” Karin shouted.
Karin flared her reiatsu, and in doing so lashed out with bolts of Kido at the four devices in the room, causing them to explode in a shower of sparks. She gathered the rest about her and kicked the table of instruments right at the Espada.
He didn’t have time to move as the reiatsu infused cart slammed into him and knocked him to the ground.
“Nemu, grab her.” Szayel ordered sharply.
“My apologies.” Nemu said softly as the woman lunged at her, tackling her to the ground.
Karin gathered her reiatsu to her fist and slammed it into the woman’s face. Nemu’s head snapped back and her grip loosened, permitting Karin to send a reiatsu infused foot into the woman, successfully kicking her away.
She jumped to her feet in time to see Szayel pushing the cart off of himself and standing up, brushing invisible dirt from his uniform.
“Seriously, what is wrong with you?” Szayel demanded, adjusting his ‘glasses.’
“What the hell are you trying to do to me?” She shouted.
“I think you are over reacting.” Szayel tried to pacify her.
“What’s going on here?” Came the rather furious shout of Grimmjow.
Karin wasted no time rushing to his side, glaring at the pink haired Espada.
“What are you doing here?” He asked, but only after sniffing her neck and running his reiatsu over hers to assure himself she was safe.
“It is just a misunderstanding, Grimmjow.” Szayel said. “You do recall Aizen-kami wanting me to run a few experiments and Karin just over reacted to one.”
“Like hell. You were draining my reiatsu.” She snapped.
“Gathering some for study.” Szayel quickly corrected.
“You don’t need 4 ports for that.” She snarled.
Szayel sighed dramatically.
“Again, you are over reacting. My apologies though, I should have warned you I was doing so.” He looked around the messed up examination room. “Nemu, please see that this place is cleaned up.”
“Hai, Szayel-sama.”
“You come near her again and I will pull your teeth out through your ass.” Grimmjow snarled, gathering her up.
She felt relief as his strong arm wrapped around her, pulling her closer. She nestled against him and he tightened his arm briefly before ushering her out of the Research Institute.
They walked in silence back to the Estate. She remained pinned to his side and she could feel his chest vibrate as he growled. Clearly he was an unhappy Arrancar and somehow that made her smile, knowing that he was that worried about her.
“Did he do anything?” Grimmjow growled halfway home.
“Just some normal tests. It wasn’t until he tried to drain my reiatsu at the end that he tried anything.”
“No injections?”
“No, and I told him if he wanted any blood he could ask Unohana-san for some.”
She bit her lip nervously.
“Um, how long is your species gestation period?” She asked hesitantly.
“When I was still an Adjuchas, about 3 months. Not sure now, why?” He asked.
She dug into a pocket and pulled out the Ultrasound, passing it to him. He took it with the hand not attached to the arm pinning her to his side. He flicked his wrist a few times until it unfolded and stared at the picture.
“What is it?” He finally asked.
Karin sighed and took the picture back.
“Our child. See, you can see the arms and that’s the head. But, this is what it would look like if I was three or four months pregnant, not one. I thought maybe it’s possible I am two months along, assuming I conceived right after my last cycle, but still. It seems I am developing faster than anticipated.
“I don’t think it’s going to take the nine months I was anticipating. I think I should see Unohana-san again. I trust her far more than that pink haired freak.”
He didn’t comment and they made it back to the estate where Yuzu was more than pleased to see her safe return. Despite being distracted by her sister’s disappearance, Yuzu, Hana and even Lilinette had managed to make a stock pile of assorted Origami.
After assuring her sister that she was fine, Grimmjow dragged her to the garden attached to their shared room. He sat down under one of the trees and pulled her into his lap, washing his reiatsu over her as if inspecting her for any injuries while nuzzling her neck.
She could feel his agitation and could almost visualize him with hackles and fur fully up. She sent her own reiatsu back at him, stroking against his comfortingly. It took about an hour for him to calm down.
“The next time Szayel shows his ass around here, you summon me. Got it?” He commanded.
“I think I handled myself just fine. Besides, he said Aizen ordered it and if I hadn’t gone it just would have gotten both of us in trouble.”
“I’ll deal with Aizen, but I don’t want that bastard anywhere near my child.”
“Aizen is far more powerful then anyone else here. How would you plan on ‘handling him?’” She snapped back.
It was nice to know he was worried about her, but sometimes it felt a little smothering. She could take care of herself. She was a bloody Kurosaki, they didn’t lie down easily. Having met her brother he should know that.
“I’ll handle it.” He snapped back.
She pulled out of his grip so she could turn to face him. He growled in protest and snagged her wrist so she couldn’t escape. She jerked her hand out of his and stood over him, glaring down with hands on her hips.
“I am not some foolish idiot that believes for a second anyone could stand up to Aizen. I can bloody well SEE his power. Not even Starrk-san comes close to it. Even if he doubled his power he would still be a star to the sun. So don’t tell me you will ‘deal with it.’” She shouted angrily before storming off.
“Stupid idiot. Going against Aizen would just get him killed. Than where would Yuzu and I be? I am almost strong enough to defend us but not yet. Well, Starrk-san would probably let us live here.”
She sighed.
“Great, now I am in self denial. If he were to get his ass killed or trashed it would make me upset. And….” Her hand went to her stomach, just starting to show it’s bump, “the thought of raising my child without a father is…..”
She couldn’t finish the thought. She had been raised without a mother for most of her life and she knew it had a profound affect on her. She couldn’t bear the thought of her child being raised without a father.
She made it to one of the other many gardens and leaned against one of the many trees before sliding down it to sit at the base. Her head fell back to stare at the sky through the branches above her.
Her mind went numb and unconsciously she closed her eyes and started to mediate as Ukitake had showed her. She slipped into the inner world of peace that was Jinzen. She hadn’t even realized she had slipped into Jinzen until she snapped awake as she felt someone approach her.
“Did I disturb you, Karin-chan?” Ukitake asked warmly.
“Ukitake-san? What time is it?” She asked, looking up to notice the sun was all the way across the sky.
“Dinner time. I believe Yuzu-chan and Hana-chan have prepared a rather large meal to congratulate Nanao-san on her first day of work.”
“I’ll be right there.” She promised.
“Is something wrong?” He asked, concern in his voice.
“Nothing I can’t handle.” She assured him. “It’s just been a stressful day. Apparently Aizen asked some pink haired freak to run some test on me.”
“Szayel-san?” Ukitake asked, and the concern in his voice was stronger.
“Yeah. Bastard tried to drain my reiatsu, oh it was nice and slow and if I couldn’t see reiatsu I probably wouldn’t have noticed, but he assured me that he wouldn’t do anything to alter my being and that is bloody well altering.” She snapped angrily.
“What happened?” Ukitake asked, sitting down beside her.
“I kicked a reiatsu laden medical cart into his face and flared my reiatsu.” She smirked. “You should have seen the shock on his face just before it hit.”
She fondly recalled the look of shock before the cart had cut off her view of him as it slammed into him. Of all the Espada he was by far the weakest, his strength a fair ways below Grimmjow’s, but still much higher than any other Arrancar.
“I take it Grimmjow-san didn’t care too much for Szayel-san’s interest?”
“No.” She sighed, leaning back against the tree. “But if Aizen wants these tests, there is no way to stop them from happening.”
“Why is Aizen-kami interested in running test on you anyway?” Ukitake asked with a frown.
Karin froze. She had forgotten Ukitake didn’t know she was pregnant. She briefly toyed with the idea of telling him, but stopped as Hana came running into the garden.
“ ‘take-ji, Karin-san, come on, come on. Foods ready.” Hana called happily.
Both of them smiled at the little girl and got to their feet, heading towards the dinning room where everyone except Grimmjow waited for them.
Nanao had a slight blush to her face and was still in Uniform. Karin smiled sympathetically at the woman before the evening dissolved into a rather pleasant dinner. Unconsciously she sought out Grimmjow’s reiatsu during the later part of dessert.
He was just returning back to the estate and heading to their room. She sighed and briefly toyed with the idea of spending the night with Yuzu, but decided against it. She was no coward and just because they had an argument didn’t mean she was going to run away.
All couples had arguments and she briefly toyed with the idea of apologizing for over reacting. She couldn’t blame him for being upset. If anything happened to her there was a risk he could lose his child as well as her.
After the congratulation party and aftermath she headed towards their room. Despite herself she paused at the door before sliding it open and entering, closing it behind her. He was lounging on the futon, still completely clothed.
She ignored him as she undressed and set her clothes aside before crawling under the blankets and leaving her back facing him. They remained in awkward silence for over an hour before she felt his reiatsu brush hesitantly against hers.
She sighed and brushed lightly back, letting him know she was completely fine. She felt him shift and a moment later he crawled under the blankets and pulled her into his grasp, snaking an arm around her to gently stroke a breast.
“I am still mad.” She said firmly, not in the mood for sex tonight. “For all the other nights I have giving him he can stand to skip one.” She grumbled to herself.
He didn’t say anything, simply nuzzled the crock of her neck and rubbed his body against hers.
She couldn’t help it, she sighed and relaxed into his warm embrace. His hand left her breast to rub the small bulge in her stomach before resting there. Eventually she drifted off to sleep.

Well, as you can see I haven’t been lynched by a swarm of angry readers over the last two chapters.
Huge thanks to everyone who reviewed. They definitely make my day. I forgot to mention earlier, I was busy building that fort,; thank you KiraRaven for your links to those websites about same sex pairings in the animal kingdom. I knew about it, but I never realized the impressive scale of which it occurred. Just WOW. Holy crap.
Next Chapter: We see Orihime and Ulquiorra again.
- 22
- 23
- 24
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Prize of Victory