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
- 46
- 47
- 48
Karin was awoken by Ajuga, or rather the absence of Ajuga. She scanned quickly and found her daughter had crawled into the garden. Stretching, she untangled herself from her mate and crawled out of bed. She leaned against the doorframe as she watched Ajuga stalk something she couldn�t see.

She was definitely looking far more graceful as she crawled slowly across the ground. Karin couldn�t help but to smile warmly as her daughter crawled with a large amount of patience towards whatever was in the bush.

She heard her mate stir behind her and after a moment felt his presence at her back as he came up behind her. A moment later his lips brushed against her neck before he pressed his body against hers.

�What is she stalking?� He asked with a whisper, his breath ghosting past her ear and causing her to shiver despite herself.

�I don�t know. She was already in the garden when I woke up.�

Ajuga crawled forward a little bit more before settling in once again, intently watching whatever it was.

�Yay, you�re up, you�re up.� Hana cheered as she bounded into the garden.

Ajuga sent the older girl a glare as whatever she had been stalking had clearly been startled. The glare turned into a squeal of delight though when Hana picked her up and twirled about.

�Lunch is ready. Come on. Lili-chan and I made it �cause �kaasan is tired.� Hana said excitedly.

�I fear for my stomach.� Karin chuckled as she once more untangled herself from her mate and moved into the garden to retrieve her daughter from Hana. Hana pouted, but reluctantly let Karin have Ajuga back.

Hana�s pout didn�t last long before she was once more skipping about happily.

�Hana.� Grimmjow barked.

Hana instantly stilled and she looked up at him a little nervously.

�Slow down.� He said.

�Hai.� She saluted smartly.

Karin sighed and set Ajuga back down on the grass.

�Can you watch Ajuga-chan for a moment while we get dressed?� Karin requested.

�Of course.� Hana quickly chirped.

Karin retreat inside and quickly found a lose fitting yukuta to pull on. Grimmjow pulled his uniform on before they gathered up the rats and headed to the main dinning room. Lilinette seemed quite happy with herself as they looked at the food presented to them.

�Ramen. I should have suspected.� Karin chuckled as she looked at the large bowl.

It was the most basic and easy thing to make, but it was still food and after all the energy they had burned up yesterday and last night, any food was fuel right now. Ukitake and Nanao were looking just as exhausted as they were and she swore Starrk was actually asleep with his head rested in one hand.

�Eat, eat.� Hana encouraged.

�As you command.� Karin half bowed at her.

One nice thing about noodles was they were definitely soft enough for Ajuga to eat. In fact the ramen wasn�t that bad and she was pleasantly surprised to see Hana and Lilinette had added fresh cut vegetables and sliced pork.

She took a piece of pork and blew on it to cool it down before offering it to Ajuga.

�What time do we need to arrive at the meeting?� Ukitake asked exhaustedly.

�In an hour.� Nanao answered. �Can you watch Hana for me again, Lilinette?� She asked.

�Of course.� Lilinette piped up happily. �We can make dinner.�

Nanao turned a look Karin�s way.

�I�ll see what I can do.� Karin promised.

Ajuga ate everything offered to her, much to Karin�s delight. She shared a kiss with her mate and wished the others a survivable meeting. She got various exhausted thank-yous.

�So, what should we make for dinner?� Lilinette broached the question once the others had headed out for the meeting.

�How about something simple.� Karin suggested. �Like beef stir fry and rice.�

�That sounds like a great idea.� Hana agreed happily.

�Now, don�t you both have lessons?� Karin asked.

Both girls pouted at her. Karin had been shocked to learn Lilinette didn�t know how to read and had quickly set about fixing that problem. She set the girls down and they started the lessons.

A knock on the front gate interrupted them. Karin scanned and didn�t recognize the reiatsu at all. Still, it was one that appeared to be a Shinigami and not one of any mentionable strength.

�A message from the fourth perhaps.� She guessed.

�I�ll be right back. I had better see that lesson completed when I get back.� She threatened.

�Hai.� Both girls answered monotonously.

Karin adjusted her grip on Ajuga and walked up to the gate to see she was correct. It was a Shinigami from the fourth.

�Excuse me,� the man bowed politely, �I have been ordered to inform you that Szayel-sama has awakened.�

�Thank you. I will be there shortly.�

The man bowed again and left. Karin frowned as she considered weather or not she should bring Hana and Lilinette or leave them here. In the end she decided to leave them here. She didn�t want either of them to be privy to the conversation she planned on having with the pink haired Espada.

�Hana-chan, Lilinette, I need to go to the fourth for a while. I�ll be back later, alright. You two are going to behave right?� She asked sternly.

�Of course.� They both smiled innocently up at her.

She didn�t trust them for a minute, but at least Starrk was at the meeting so he was free from their games, and the two of them had invented a fair number over the years.

�If I am not back before five feel free to start preparing dinner by slicing up the vegetables and beef into bite size pieces.�

�We will.� Lilinette promised.

Karin nodded before heading to the fourth, Ajuga looking about curiously as they walked. She arrived and walked up to the bed that held Szayel without being challenged or stopped. In fact, several of the nurses greeted her warmly.

Szayel was indeed awake as she had been informed and Nemu still sat beside him as if she hadn�t moved a millimetre since last night.

�Szayel.� She greeted while Ajuga squealed in delight and reached her arms out to him.

He looked a little bit better, and slightly older, almost ten now. She placed Ajuga down onto the bed next to him and she crawled happily over to him. He caught her before she could attempt to go after his glasses and sat her in his lap.

�Karin.� He returned the greeting softly, eyes down caste.

His eyes were still puffy and red (partially from the beating and partially from apparently having another sobbing fest if the dried tear marks were anything to go by), but he seemed a bit calmer today than he had been last night and he picked Ajuga up to adjust her more comfortably in his lap. Karin couldn�t help but to admit it was a rather cute picture.

�How are you feeling?� She asked.

�A bit better.� He answered. �It seems my reiatsu is starting to pool and grow, all be it slowly. Your reiatsu is acting like a sort of dam built on a river. I should be back up to my regular strength in a few weeks.�

There was obvious relief in his voice that there was hope he wouldn�t be forced to step down.

�So as long as the Claim remains you should be fine then.� She noted. �At least until your glasses can be fixed, if they can be.�

He nodded and brushed Ajuga�s hands away from his glasses as she twisted in his lap and tried to reach for them. She seemed more then pleased to play �keep away� with him and giggled contently as she kept reaching for them.

�There is one problem.� He sighed.

�And what would that be?� She asked.

�Since this is a partial Claim, I will be unable to refresh the Claims I have. While this means rather little to Nemu here, my other pet is considered Taichou class and unless I can refresh the Claim on him I will be forced to put him to death.� He pointed out.

�How long does it take to reinforce the Claim?� She asked.

�Maybe ten minutes max.�

�Well, I can always remove it and you can refresh then.� Karin shrugged.

She looked around. There were still a lot of wounded and the members of the fourth went amongst them. She didn�t want to have this conversation where others might overhear.

�Do you feel up to walking back to your lab?� She asked.

He gave a firm nod of his head and handed her back Ajuga before crawling out of bed. Karin had to hold back her laughter as his uniform was now far too large on him and hung off of him loosely.

�Perhaps I should see about getting you a hospital gown.� She chuckled.

Szayel scowled at his appearance and Karin could see that arrogant spark returning to his golden eyes, even if they were still rather childish. He had to hold his pants up and they pooled ridiculously about his feet.

�I�ll go get that gown.� Karin finished chuckling.

She found a gown easily enough and Nemu helped him into it. He was still badly bruised up and moving about a lot clearly still hurt him. He also had the most affront look on his face that she had seen in ages when he looked at his appearance .

�Are you going to be able to walk or should Nemu-san carry you?� She asked.

�I can walk.� He said airily.

�Of course you can.� She smiled at him amused.

With his appearance he looked more like a kid having a temper tantrum than a feared Espada.

Szayel made it four steps before collapsing, Nemu catching him effortlessly. Karin could feel his frustration coursing through the Claim.

�Perhaps it would be best if Nemu carried you back to your chamber.� Karin suggested.

�I am perfectly�.�

She shot him a pointed look that silenced any further argument. She wasn�t sure what emotion he was feeling the most; frustration or mortification. They were both coming through pretty clear.

They got him back to the research center and into his own rooms. Nemu set him gently down on a rather plush couch before gathering a blanket and pillows from his bed and making him comfortable.

She disappeared afterward with a promise to return with some tea and Mizo soup. Szayel�s body was pretty black and blue and Karin could see the damages done to his throat. Liquids ware definitely the best way to go for the next few days.

Apparently his depleted pool of reiatsu also had an averse effect on his faster regeneration.

�You know,� she mused, �I think I kind of like this set up.�

�I am sure my chambers are far superior to any you have seen before.� He commented.

�Not that. This little set up. I have a question that�s been bothering me, and unlike your last answer,� she smirked at him and watched as his eye grew wide in horror as dawning came to him, � I demand this one be answered straight forward and truthfully without any of your side stepping. In fact, I expect every question of mine you answer to be answered in a such a way from here on out. Understand?� She asked.

His mouth opened and closed several times before he grimaced and nodded. There was nothing more he could do after all.

�Good. Now, those thing went haywire when they tasted my blood, and regrettably, my dear Szayel, I am not as medically inept as you believe. I know that you would have needed a fraction of the blood you drew from Ajuga-chan and myself to map our DNA. So out with it. What�s so special about it?� She demanded, clamping down on the Claim.

She could see the nervous sweat rolling down his body and he trembled as he was forced to answer. If it wasn�t due to the Claim, she would have slapped him for coming up with such a tale of her blood blowing up equipment. Nemu returned near the end and set the tray with his soup and tea down on the coffee table before settling herself onto the floor beside him.

Karin sat back and digested the information.

�How long were you there before you attacked that other Arrancar? Nelial I think it was.�

�Neliel, the former 3rd.� He corrected absently. �Not very long, just long enough to hear they wanted you to go with them.�

Karin leaned back in her own chair to muse. Szayel sat curled up on the couch pouting and looking ready to cry again.

�Clearly his mentality has been affected by the regression. As cute as he is at this point, I hope this corrects itself as I�ve got a strong feeling we are going to need him in top shape.� She sighed to herself.

�Szayel you should eat.�

�I am not hungry.� He pouted.

She looked at him pointedly. His pout increased but he did reach out to try and grab the bowl of soup. Nemu�s quick action prevented it from spilling all over him as his battered hands were unable to support the weight of the bowl.

�Permit me, Szayel-sama.� Nemu request, gaining a better grip on the bowl and presenting a spoon full of soup to his lips.

�I can feed myself.�

�Eat.� Karin ordered.

He obediently opened his mouth and let Nemu feed him without further protest.

�I swear Szayel, you are acting worse than Hana-chan and she is even younger than your regressed state. I can see your reiatsu slowly pooling and climbing so I have no doubt you will return to normal in a week or so, so stop pouting.�

He looked up at her hopefully.

�And once you have recovered, I want you to use all the spare time and resources you�ve got to look into this issue with my DNA.�

Now he looked at her half in surprise, half in shock.

�While keeping it a secret from Aizen. Is it safe to assume that the odd strand is from my Father? Ichigo mentioned something about old goat face not being normal.�

�I don�t know, all attempts to map it have been foiled, but it is feasible.�

Karin nodded.

�Ukitake-san seemed to have an idea about my father; I remember he seemed surprised when I told him his name. I am going to talk to him and find out what he knows once they get out of the meeting. Have you talked to Unohana-san yet to see if she has any of this odd DNA on file?�

�I have looked through her files and found nothing.� Nemu reported.

�But you didn�t talk to her.� Karin mused. �Something like this might be kept secreted away. Unohana-san is not Claimed so it�s not like Aizen could force her to tell him we were inquiring about it. It comes down to weather or not she would say anything on her own.�

Karin sat back once more and mused over the problem while Nemu finished feeding Szayel. He was still pouting about it but wasn�t giving the woman any problems.

�Alright. I think any more musing will do nothing but give us headaches. You are to do nothing but rest and recover your strength for the next few days unless Aizen orders otherwise. I trust you will take care of him?� She turned her attention to Nemu.

�Hai, Karin-san.�

�Good. I�ll see you in a few days. In that time I am going to have a little talk with Ukitake-san, see what he knows about my parents. In retrospect I probably should have listened to what my brother wanted.� She grumbled as she stood up and stretched before gathering Ajuga from where she had crawled off to.

She was at the door before Szayel�s voice stopped her.

�Karin-san.� She paused to look back at him.

He looked rather nervous or upset about something and was adjusting his glasses, eyes caste to the side. Finally, he gathered the courage to meet her eyes.

�Thank you. I owe you my life.� He said awkwardly.

�You�re welcome.� She smiled back before leaving.

Hopefully, the Estate would still be in one piece, but there was no telling when the combined Mischief Might of Kyoraku Hana and Lilinette Gingerback were not only involved, but left to their own devices for an extended period of time.

　

　

　

Oh you are all so awesome. Thank you all so much for your warm and wonderful reviews and I am pleased you were all happy with the quad update. My other half says thank you for the thanks as well.

I big thank you to Black Strom, for this piece of POV influenced artwork: http://blackstorm(dot)deviantart(dot)com/#/d3jlohx Warning: cuteness ahead.

The chapter with Tatsuki and Tesra wrote itself. I didn�t even plan it, but when it was done I was like, WOW, this works. Let�s run with it. I am well known for odd pairings and making them work after all.

One of the reasons we don�t see as much of Orihime and Ulquiorra is simply because Ulquiorra is a bitch to write and I have a hard time with him.

A few notes:

Ichigo left because Karin is family, so with Szayel Claimed by a member of family he was no long a threat.

What the Kuchiki Clan elders want will be revealed soon. There will be no Mpreg in this story, I assure you all of that.

Where the story deviates: Ichigo fought Ulquiorra up on the dome, went full hollow, but lost instead of won. That�s right about where it starts to deviate.

No, I wont make you wait extra weeks when I post more than one chapter at a time.

This weeks Question: How long to you think it will be before Orihime finally conceives?

Next Chapter: We see Orihime and more of Tesra and Tatsuki
- 46
- 47
- 48
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