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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
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Karin sighed as she finished setting up the field for the day�s training session. Ajuga lounged on one of the leafless, lower limbs of one of the garden�s dormant cherry trees and Hana nibbled on the end of her brush as she worked out the math equations her Sensei had given her.

She spotted the girls approaching and blinked as she noticed there were four reiatsu signatures approaching instead of three. She recognized Tatsuki, Orihime and Tesra right away, but the last one took her a second.

�That�s strange. I think that�s Matsumoto,� she said, a little surprised as she turned to the main entrance.

Sure enough, her abilities hadn�t lied to her. It was Matsumoto, wearing a simple white training outfit and carrying a katana. They shared a hug before Hana and Ajuga assaulted the woman, the first just pleased to meet her again and the second curious about the tall woman with the red-gold hair.

�Nnoitra gave her permission to train with us after that attack a week ago,� Tatsuki answered Karin�s unspoken question with a grin.

�That�s awesome! Of course she is welcome!!" Karin exclaimed, grinning happily. �Will you be staying as well, Tesra?" she asked. The Arrancar paused and shook his head politely.

�I am afraid I have other obligations,� he declined. �Aizen-kami has called a meeting and ALL Arrancar have been ordered to attend.�

�Grimmjow mentioned the meeting, but he failed to mention that all of the Arrancar had to be there,� she said, frowning at the idea that Grimmjow hadn�t informed her about something that important.

She had been relieved the day after the last attack that he�d listened to her explanation about Szayel without too much fuss. Miraculously, he hadn�t been upset when she broke the news that he was supposed to have Claimed Szayel. In fact, once she�d laid out exactly what had happened with the researcher during her brother�s last incursion into the Seireitei, Grimmjow had stunned her by telling her he found it damned hilarious.

Of course she had explained about her ability to Claim by touch first. She had a feeling his reaction would have been far different if she hadn�t made that point very, very clear before letting Grimmjow know the details of what had occurred during the fight.

While he was interested in the fact that she could cast a Claim by touch alone, he also didn�t argue with her about the necessity of keeping her ability a secret. In fact, he seemed to relish the idea that Szayel was now �his�, if only to possibly lord it over the scientist.

When Karin pointed out that Szayel had kept his mouth shut about her abilities, thus protecting both herself and by proxy, Ajuga, Grimmjow had sat back, a rare thoughtful look on his face, and had agreed that he would keep his mockery of the less powerful Espada in check.

As interesting as the conversation was, it was Orihime�s strange reiatsu that caught her attention. Something was off with her. Maybe �off� wasn�t the right description. More like �split�? Or like there was more�.than�one�

�Oh dear,� Karin thought.

�Orihime-chan," Karin called, motioning to the young woman.

�Hmm?� Orihime asked, smiling at her.

�Can I talk to you a moment?�

�Sure!�

The two girls walked off a small distance and watched Tatsuki rope a rather surprised kiss from Tesra before the Arrancar left for the meeting, blushing furiously. Karin noted that Tatsuki seemed extraordinarily pleased with herself and that Matsumoto was actually giggling behind one hand.

�What is it?� Orihime asked, now concerned.

�Probably nothing bad, but I want to check it out anyway. Your reiatsu looks different, I would almost say split, and I got a good suspicion as to why.�

�Split?� she asked nervously.

�Yeah, and the split is around here,� Karin explained, pointing her finger and drawing a circle around Orihime�s stomach. �Would your healing shield be able to diagnose if you were with child?�

Orihime�s eyebrows shot up and her mouth opened, but no sound came out for a few moments. When she finally managed to speak, she stammered out, �I� I don�t know, but I can try.�

She touched her fingers to her hair clips and in a burst of light all of the fairy-like creatures came out to hover around the two of them.

�Oh no�This looks like it�s going to be female crap again,� Tsubaki cursed as soon as they finished phasing in.

�Ajuga-chan is over there,� Karin pointed to her daughter, offering the little being a distraction from all things �womanly�.

�Heh,� Tsubaki took off, bad intent written all over what little face was visible above his bandana. A moment later the delighted squeal of her daughter reached their ears.

�What can we do for you, Orihime-chan?� Ayame asked, shaking her head at her fellow creature and bowing politely.

�Is there a way to find out if I am with child?� she asked nervously.

�Of course,� Shuno said, making it sound as if there was nothing to it.

�You know what to do,� Ayame added, smiling down at them.

�Soten Kisshun,� she whispered.

The shield snapped up around her and she felt the warm energy penetrate her soul. It was comforting, like standing in the warm glow of the sun on a spring afternoon. After a moment the shield snapped down and the two little winged creatures hovered before her.

�Well?� Orihime asked in a whisper.

�Definitely,� Shuno nodded. �Most definitely with child.�

Orihime and Karin both stared at the fairies in shock and then Karin�s practical side took over.

�How far along is she?� Karin asked them.

Orihime said nothing, still clearly in astonishment�s grip.

�Not long. Maybe a week�� Ayame answered, ��or two.�

�This is great news, Orihime-chan!� Lily cheered.

�Ulquiorra will probably be pleased,� Karin noted, and then frowned. She waved one hand in front of her friend�s face, trying to get the other to snap out of it

Orihime blinked a little, nodded and the tension Karin felt eased as a bright smile suddenly lit Orihime�s face. The fairies looked at one another and tittered a little, and then vanished as quickly as they�d appeared.

�Do you want me to tell the others, or do you want to do it, or do you want to let Ulquiorra know first?� Karin asked.

�I want to tell him first. We can tell the others next week,� Orihime answered without hesitation.

�Alright,� Karin agreed, respecting her decision.

She had to hand it to Orihime; it had taken Karin over a month to confess her own pregnancy to Grimmjow. Of course back then they had no idea on how anyone was going to react. They both knew that if it wasn�t so far beneath him and out of character, Ulquiorra would be jumping and screaming for joy about his impending fatherhood.

�We should get Szayel to monitor the pregnancy just to be on the safe side. I didn�t have too many complications but that doesn�t mean there might not be any, Szayel did mention that the hollow�s base creature had an effect on such things,� Karin warned.

�Oh? Is that why you were only what, four months?� Orihime asked hopefully, a hand resting on her stomach as she stared at it in wonder.

�Well, about that� Do we have any idea on how long a�� Karin paused, �What is Ulquiorra�s base form anyway?� she asked curiously.

�A bat,� Orihime replied, still staring at her midsection.

Karin winced.

�What?� Orihime asked concerned.

�Sorry, it�s just that, well, I did a research project on bats for the fourth grade science fair and, well, some bats can stay pregnant for up to six months,� Karin scratched her head nervously.

�You mean I could have a six-month pregnancy?� Orihime asked in disbelief.

�Yeah,� Karin said reluctantly. �Panthers are pregnant for three months and I went four months with Ajuga, so I am betting you will be seven or eight, or possibly even the full nine.�

�I hate you,� Orihime growled somewhat playfully.

�Don�t hate me! Hate the one who knocked you up," Karin protested, and held out her hands in mock defence. �And anyway, that�s the longest gestation period for all bats. Some kinds of bats have much shorter pregnancies than that. It depends on the species.�

The two girls sighed and Orihime�s gaze dropped to her stomach once again.

�Well, shall we get back to training?� Karin asked. �The others are starting to look restless.�

�Is it safe to train?� Orihime asked.

�Oh definitely,� Karin smiled wistfully suddenly. �In fact, Grimmjow once told me that being pregnant wasn�t an excuse to get out of training. By the way, as hard as this is going to sound, a lot of bats are actually very social creatures so don�t be too shocked if he starts getting cuddly.�

�You have no idea how cuddly he already is, but you never heard it from me,� Orihime smiled sweetly, and then turned to run back to Tatsuki and Matsumoto.

Karin chuckled, knowing exactly what Orihime meant. Grimmjow would be furious if she let it slip that beneath his tough boy attitude he was a big attention suck who likes to nestle, nuzzle, and cuddle just like any cat, not to mention being scratched behind the ears, Kami forbid that tidbit of information get out.

The two women rejoined their fellow combatants. It was time for some serious training. Karin couldn�t wait to see what new routines and information Matsumoto could give them. None of the three humans had shinigami training and Nanao had been too busy with work to do more than give them some basic pointers.

�So, Matsumoto,� Karin called as they closed the distance, �ready to have your brain picked by three poor women trying to be something they aren�t?�

�Speak for yourself,� Tatsuki snorted. �Granted, after all the training Grimmjow gave you, you really can�t claim to be incompetent.�

�Oh, and you and Tesra do nothing all day?� Karin asked with a raised eye.

�He has taken the time to show me a few sword techniques,� Tatsuki confirmed. �However, Tesra�s style of fighting doesn�t really fit me any more than sword fighting fits you,� Tatsuki pointed out. �Hand-to-hand was always more my thing.�

�Please, call me Rangiku. Matsumoto makes me sound so old!� the taller Shinigami laughed. �And you want to learn some sword work, Tatsuki-chan?� Rangiku asked with a grin.

�I have gotten rather rusty over the years of inaction,� Tatsuki admitted.

�So have I, but fortunately Nnoitra-sama has seen fit to arm me again,� she indicated her own blade, �and I could definitely use a sparring partner.�

�Sweet! I call shotgun,� Tatsuki smirked.

�Shotgun?� Rangiku asked confused.

�It�s an old American Western Term. The one who rode next to the driver of the carriages was the man in charge of holding the shotgun to defend it. It became a term used to indicate who got the passenger seat in a vehicle and further corrupted to mean �me first�,� Tatsuki explained.

�How do you know that, Tatsuki-chan?� Orihime asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

�Literature Class. One day we were discussing strange terms and where they came from,�she shrugged. �Half of them were American anyway, so I�d only heard them a few times.�

�Interesting. Shot� gun," Rangiku mused. �Well, let�s get to it,� she said after a moment, drawing her blade and jumping off of the porch.

�I may not be a Shinigami, but I am no push over either,� Tatsuki warned her. �Just none of that Shunpo crap.�

Rangiku stuck out her tongue and then snickered as the two women squared off.

�Well I guess that leaves you and me," Karin smiled at Orihime. �And the best part is, you can�t use Tsubaki,� she smirked.

A look of horror crossed Orihime�s face as they both turned to where the �fairy� was running from a happy Ajuga. She was getting fast and Tsubaki had a hard time dodging her now. He was still capable of teasing the little girl, but when he turned around to stick his fingers in his ears and wiggle his fingers in mockery, he barely missed hitting the trunk of a tree as Ajuga suddenly pounced.

Then again, maybe Orihime was better off not relying entirely on the little guy, Karin thought.

　

　

Orihime simply could not stop beaming. She thought she would be nervous about telling Ulquiorra such a tremendous thing, but ever since Ajuga-chan had been born the desire for a child of her own had grown. Karin was so happy with her family and Orihime had seen how the little girl had brought Grimmjow and Karin closer together.

She had no doubt that Ulquiorra would be pleased with the news. He had refrained from bringing up their agreement about children since her argument with him ages ago, but she knew it was always on the back of his mind.

Training had gone well, and as tired as she was afterwards, she found that the nervous energy she had was too much for her. A shower, dinner and time spent pacing the corridors hadn�t managed to dispel it. In the end, she�d decided to wait up for him, nursing a mug of tea and reading one of the books on pregnancy that Karin had received from Unohana as preparation for own

childbirth. Orihime was busy reading the nutritional section on the need for a proper pre-natal diet and vitamin supplements when a deadpan voice surprised her, nearly making her jump out of her chair.

�I have informed you that you are not required to wait up for me.�

She let out an eek of surprise and dropped the book to the floor.

�You startled me,� she accused, picking the book back up to mark the page before setting it down beside her, cover down.

�Obviously,� he pointed out dryly. �It is very late. Why are you still awake?" he questioned, green eyes blinking.

�Because I have something important to tell you,� she replied, lips curved up into a smile.

�I am sure that whatever it is, it can wait until morning,� he sighed, peeling off his jacket.

�I couldn�t sleep anyway, it�s too exciting!� her smile widened and she jumped slightly in excitement.

�What could possibly be so important as to warrant such an emotional display?� he questioned irritably.

Orihime could tell he was exhausted. Aizen�s meeting had run late and he had been fighting for half the day.

�Wellllllllllllllll�� she drawled out her answer, just to irk him a little.

�Out with it, Onna!� he barked.

�Ayame and Shuno were able to confirm that, well��

She could feel how testy he was, but she couldn�t help but to torture him just a little. It wasn�t often she got one up on him and she was going to savour the moment.

�I am pregnant,� she finally announced happily in a near squeal.

�And this warranted wai�� he stopped and his green eyes grew larger as his exhausted brain finally processed her message. �Say that again,� he ordered, taking a step towards her.

�I am pregnant. About two weeks in so I am guessing the day on the hill. You know, where you tried to convince me Murcielago-kun was just a mindless��

She never got to finish her sentence.

The next thing she knew he was kissing her. Deeply. Passionately. Aggressively. It left her knees weak as she felt his reiatsu envelop her. She had never seen him so emotional in her entire life, or at least not since the day he had fought against Ichigo for her.

Orihime didn�t recall them making it to the bed. She didn�t notice that somehow they were both suddenly naked, nor did she remember whether her clothes had been taken off or shredded. All she remembered was the feeling of pleasure as he silently showed her just how pleased he was with the news.

An hour later she lay next to him, body tingling with the residual pleasure from his reinforced Claim and panting in exhaustion. He was already out like a light and she swore there was the barest hint of a smile on his lips.

�I wonder if the baby will have his eyes?� she pondered. �Ajuga-chan got fur and panther-shaped legs from Grimmjow. Will our child have wings like Ulquiorra�s release? That would be so cute! And his feathered fur� Ooooo!!!�

She instantly began to imagine all sorts of interesting, adorable ways her baby could look. She would consult the book tomorrow, but she doubted that it could provide the kind of information her imagination could readily supply her with. With thoughts of small, bat-winged babies with big green eyes fluttering through her head, Orihime drifted off to sleep.

　

　

�Why do you look so smug?� Grimmjow asked.

�Can you keep a secret?� Karin asked, rinsing out her toothbrush.

�Depends on what it is," he grunted.

�Well, I will only tell you if you can keep it. I promised Orihime-chan I wouldn�t tell anyone until she did.�

She definitely had his interest now. Anything that involved Orihime had a good chance to involve Ulquiorra as well and while Karin hated to use the term �like catnip� when it came to her mate, it was just so glaringly obvious that gossip that involved the Fourth Espada was something he craved. Particularly if it was juicy.

�Spill it,� he commanded.

�Alright,� Karin smirked and leaned in to whisper in his ear. �Orihime-chan is pregnant.�

He jerked away from her as if she had burned him, jaw dropping far enough so that she could see a hint of his fangs.

�What?!?� he cried in shock. �You�re telling me Ulquiorra is going to have a brat of his own?�

�So it seems. Orihime-chan is rather excited,� Karin said, brushing out her hair in the mirror.

Grimmjow just sat back, with his arms folded across his chest against the pillows, suddenly petulant.

�Tsh. Bastard just couldn�t stand the fact that I outdid him in something and gained his precious Aizen-kami�s favour,� he snorted.

Karin scowled at him and suddenly leaned over him, eyeball to eyeball with him, hairbrush underneath his nose as if the make her point.

�Regardless, she is very excited and this is good news for them. Remember, you can�t say a word to ANYONE until Orihime-chan lets everyone know this coming Sunday.�

He was still smirking, which never boded well.

�That includes Ulquiorra,� she added firmly.

�Why not?�

�Because then they will know I told you. Damn it, this is a secret. You said you could keep it!" she growled back at him.

�I didn�t realize it was this damn good!� he laughed.

�You�re terrible," she groused.

�I thought that was why you loved me,� he pointed out.

�I love you because�� she stopped suddenly and blinked.

�What is it?� he questioned.

�Sorry nothing. It just occurred to me that we have never actually said those words to each other,� she noted.

�What? �I love you?�� he questioned.

�Yeah.�

�Does it matter?� he asked, looking uncomfortable.

The conversation was getting awkward. Did it matter that they had technically never said the words? It wasn�t as if anything they had done was very conventional, at least as far as human standards were concerned.

�They are just words,� she shrugged. �I was never really that good with words anyway.�

She tried to tell herself it didn�t bother her, but a small part of her, the small, repressed, female part, would have still liked to hear the words at least once.

He gave her a look that suggested he didn�t quite believe her. He also looked a little ill and desperate to change the conversation. She was all for that.

�So, when do you plan on starting Ajuga-chan�s training?� she asked instead.

�Tomorrow. I should have a bit of spare time. Have you spoken to Nanao?� he asked, clearly relieved at the topic change.

�I did. She was reluctant to agree, but admitted that it was best Hana-chan learn to defend herself. Once she is older she will have the same problems I did until you Claimed me.�

He nodded his head in agreement. Ajuga was definitely going to be sought after and he was going to make damn sure that his daughter was able to fend off any unwanted attention. Not only was she going to be a powerful female, but a born one. It was a legend that Born Hollows were more fertile. Whether that was fact or fiction was debatable, as pure born Hollows were rare to begin with.

Hana would also be in danger as she aged. Once she was old enough to breed, her power would start to sing to the others as well. Not all of the Arrancar had used up their Claims as of yet, or had lost or dismissed their pet.

They were still a few years away from needing to worry about Hana, but the time would come that she would be in danger. The only reason Nanao wasn�t hassled was because she had the power to defend herself and Aizen had made it quite clear she both belonged to Starrk and was not to be interrupted in her duties as Taichou.

�What was Aizen�s meeting about? Tesra said all the Arrancar were required to attend,� Karin asked a little peevishly.

�Aizen declared that his suggestion was now an order. Anyone with Shinigami pets still capable of fighting are to have them join one of the divisions immediately and out on the field. There will be a meeting tomorrow to assign them new divisions.�

�I see,� she frowned. �Does this include me, Orihime-chan and Tatsuki-chan?� she inquired.

�I do not believe so. He said �Shinigami� and the three of you are not Shinigami,� he pointed out.

�Good. I am not sure that I am ready to leave Ajuga-chan unattended just yet,e spcially given her perchance of getting into trouble,� she grouched, recalling all too easily the panic and fear she had felt when Ajuga had gone missing.

Karin finished getting ready for bed and crawled under the covers. Grimmjow joined her a moment later, nestling up behind her. She leaned back against his broad chest, sighing in pleasure as his warmth invaded her.

An arm snaked around her and began to gently fondle a breast while he nuzzled her neck. She was long since use to his nuzzling and simply sighed in content. Sleep was quickly overcoming her.

�I love you,� he whispered in her ear.

She jerked in surprised and looked at him over her shoulder. He looked at her silently with a strange expression on his face, one she had never seen before and couldn�t read.

Her shock quickly turned into warmth and she couldn�t help the smile that crossed her face as she felt her cheeks warm. That suppressed, female part of her soul broke free for just a moment to cheer until her normally tomboyish nature wrestled it back into submission and buried it where it belonged.

�I love you too,� she responding, kissing him deeply before settling down one more. �Thank you.�

He grunted, causing her to smile once more in amusement. He had definitely stepped out of his comfort zone for her, and that left her heart fluttering in a way she had never felt before.

She fell asleep feeling warmer than she had in ages. He didn�t need to say it, she told him he did not need to. And yet he had, for her sake. She knew he hated mushy crap like that and had no doubt it had made him feel very uncomfortable, but he had still said it.

�You have no idea how much I love you, especially when you do things like that,� she thought sleepily before drifting off.

　

　

Yep, finally it�s confirmed that Orihime is banged up, and by banged up I mean pregnant. Why do they call it being banged up anyway? The Shotgun thing is true BTW, that is where the term came from.

Thank you all so much for the reviews. I love them.

Szayel has a bit more torture in his future I am afraid. One rather dark scene and one not so dark. There is plans for Renji, but they won�t be coming up for a long while yet. You are right Rattraccoon, I had to go back and re-read it myself. The two chapters were written probably about 6 months apart. I have actually gotten to the point I have written so much that I have forgotten my own work. Le sigh.

Next Chapter: Something that was once taken away is now returned.

This Chapter�s Question: can you guess what it is?
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Prize of Victory