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
- 85
- 86
- 87
First Day

Orihime awoke to the sound of a baby fussing. For a moment she was confused as she looked around the obvious hospital room. She recalled what Karin had said about Grimmjow becoming incredibly territorial after Ajuga had been born and had prepared herself to wake up at home. She was honestly shocked, and somewhat relieved, to find herself still at the hospital.

The sound of Diaemus�s fretting brought her attention back to the child, frowning when she noticed he was not by her side. Looking about, she found her son cradled in the arms of her mate, who was staring down at the baby in his arms with a look Orihime couldn�t place.

She would, if asked, swear that there was an expression of what could only be called a mixture of peace and wonder on his face. It was as if he could not believe what his all-seeing eyes were telling him.

�I think he is hungry,� she spoke up.

Ulquiorra jumped a little in surprise and his gaze shot up to her. She gave him a smile while sitting up and holding her arms out. He remained still for a moment longer before standing up and bringing their child to her. He hesitated again before handing their son over.

Orihime cradled their son, sighing happily as she held the little boy in her arms before setting about adjusting her hospital gown so she could feed him. Her son nuzzled her nipple for a moment before latching on and began to feed. It was perhaps the most wonderful sensation she had ever felt.

She felt the bed shift as Ulquiorra sat down beside her, his own eyes wide in wonder as he watched his son take his first real meal.

�I honestly thought I would wake up at home,� she remarked, breaking the comfortable silence.

�Unohana-san requested we remain for a day to determine all was well with both of you,� he answered.

�I see. So, you aren�t going to lock me and Diaemus-kun up at home for months on end?� she asked hopefully.

She felt him stiffen.

�I would prefer for you both to remain home,� he answered.

�What about company, like Karin-chan and Tatsuki-chan?� she asked softly.

She felt him bristle at that, but in the end he conceded that the two women were acceptable company, but he made it clear no one else was permitted near the house.

Orihime sighed in relief at his permission. She wouldn�t be left alone to her own devices. She knew that with the war going on he wouldn�t be able to remain at home like Grimmjow had, but she had a feeling every spare moment he had he would be at her side.

Diaemus finished eating and she stared down in surprise as he gurgled, the faintest trace of blood on his lips with a small amount trickling from her nipple. Surprised, she brushed his mouth with the edge of her blanket and after determining the blood was not from him, turned to her own body.

The blood was from her, but her nipple didn�t hurt in the least, in fact it almost felt a little numb instead of tender like she thought it would have.

�I think he bit me,� she said, surprised.

�Let me see,� Ulquiorra took Diaemus from her and opened his mouth. �Ah, I see.�

�See what?� she demanded. �He�s not going to start trying to eat people is he?� she asked horrified.

The thought of her son becoming a bloodthirsty Hollow did not sit well with her.

�Ile,� he assured her. �Ajuga is capable of drawing reiatsu from an outside source; Diaemus draws his from blood, much like his namesake.�

�Oh,� she sighed in relief.

Karin had told her how Ajuga had drawn on her reiatsu when feeding before being able to get what she needed from her food. It would seem Diaemus would draw on her blood until he was old enough to drink his own.

�Will he be able to get what he needs from any blood?� she asked worriedly as thoughts of her son stalking human prey to feed from raced through her mind.

�Why would the source matter?� he questioned.

�Well, Vampires require human blood to live and��

�A fictional creature?� he asked confused.

Diaemus fussed a bit, bringing their attention back to their son.

�He needs to be burped,� she chuckled.

Ulquiorra handed their son back and she rested him on his shoulder, patting his back as he gurgled contently. They sat in comfortable silence for several minutes before both eyes suddenly snapped to the door.

There was no mistaking the reiatsu approaching. Orihime felt fear touch her breast before she sat up straighter, adjusted her clothing more properly and held Diaemus close. Ulquiorra stood up as well, with his posture straight and his hands in his pockets.

There were four polite raps on the door before it opened and Aizen stepped in, a small smile on his face as his eyes swept the room.

�Aizen-kami,� they both greeted him politely.

Ulquiorra offered him a deep bow while Orihime inclined her head in submission.

�I see everyone seems to be doing well,� he noted, his smile widening. �I am pleased to see that you have maintained your composure in light of this new addition. As expected. You do Kami proud, Ulquiorra.�

Orihime noticed that the compliment was met with a straightening of her mate�s body. How that was even possible she wasn�t sure, but she could tell the praise pleased him.

�Have you decided upon a name?� Aizen asked.

�Hai, Diaemus Cifer,� Ulquiorra answered.

Orihime clutched her son to her slightly tighter. She feared Aizen would take him now, and more so she feared Ulquiorra would let him. There was a big difference between Ulquiorra and Grimmjow. While she didn�t doubt for a second that Aizen could have taken Ajuga if he had truly desired, Grimmjow would have made one hell of a big mess in the process where as Ulquiorra would allow Aizen to take their child without question, regardless of his own thoughts on the matter.

She didn�t follow the conversation at all, her thoughts worrying around in her head as a thousand horrid nightmares came before her mind until one of Aizen�s questions broke through her whirling thoughts.

�Would you mind if I hold him?� Aizen asked.

Orihime froze, and she felt her mate do the same. Her grip on her son tightened once more and he started to fuss at the change in tension. Both Ulquiorra and his mate knew the request wasn�t really one at all.

�Of course, Kami-sama,� Ulquiorra answered after a second of hesitation.

It was small comfort to Orihime to know that that one second of hesitation indicated he was just as nervous as she was about handing their son over to an entity far more powerful than he was.

Aizen closed the distance between himself and Orihime�s bedside and held his arms out expectantly.

Orihime fought back the urge to take her baby and run as she reluctantly handed Diaemus to him, praying he would be returned to her arms after Aizen�s curiosity had been sated.

Diaemus fretted a little as he was held by the unknown reiatsu but he didn�t start to cry as Aizen gently held him, mindful of the small wings and the tail. Orihime clenched the blanket covering her tightly to keep herself from reaching out and begging Aizen to give her back her baby.

�A remarkable child,� Aizen noted, sounding pleased. �I see he takes after you in many ways, Ulquiorra�� Soul Society�s �Kami� adjusted his hold on the child and very gently lifted an eyelid. ��many ways, indeed. I hope he will have your countenance as well.�

Orihime almost sobbed in relief as Aizen returned Diaemus to her grasp.

�He will be raised properly,� Ulquiorra assured him.

�I expect so. I will give you two days to get your family settled. I trust you will not require more than that.�

�No, Kami-sama. Thank you.�

Ulquiorra bowed. Aizen nodded and left. Once he was gone Orihime finally broke down and started to cry softly, holding Diaemus to her. Her son made a few, small unhappy-sounding noises before settling down and falling back to sleep.

�Onna?� Ulquiorra, frowning at his mate�s obvious distress, resting a hand on her shoulder.

�Promise me,� she whispered.

�Promise you what?� he demanded, a little annoyed at the half-request.

�Promise me you will never let anything happen to our son. That you won�t let anyone, not even Kami-sama, take him away from us. Please!� she sobbed. �Please,� she pleaded again.

She felt him take umbrage beside her. Even as she begged she knew that he would never be able to make such promise, his devotion to Aizen was too strong.

It just made things worse and she wept harder. She had wanted a child so badly, but now that he was here she wondered if it wouldn�t have been better not to have one if it meant that Aizen could do whatever he wanted to their baby.

�I promise,� she heard him say and her eyes darted up to him in shock, �that I will let no harm come to our child that I can prevent,� he said firmly.

While it wasn�t the promise she had hoped for, Orihime had to acquiesce to it, for it was by far the best and only oath he could offer her without openly defying Kami.

�I want to go home,� she whispered as she tried to dry her tears.

�I will check with Unohana-san,� he assured her, and left the room, intent on finding the 4^th�s Taichou. Orihime continued to feel edgy and agitated until both her mate and Unohana entered the room.

�Orihime-san, how are you feeling?� Unohana asked warmly, her presence relieving a little of Orihime�s unhappiness.

�I feel fine. I just� I want to go home,� she answered, wiping her eyes with her free hand.

Unohana gave the two new parents sympathetic and perceptive look, tinged with what Orihime thought might be a whisper of sadness in her dark eyes.

�Of course, I understand your desire to return to a place you feel is more secure. With your permission, I would like to check you both out before I clear you to go home.�

They both gave their consent at that. Ulquiorra held Diaemus while she underwent Unohana�s examination. Unohana�s hands glowed with healing Kido as she made sure that Orihime was indeed well enough to walk home. When she was done she made a small sound of approval at the young mother�s state of well-being. She lowered her hands and clasped them in front of her, clearly happy with Orihime�s current condition.

�You seem to have recovered somewhat since yesterday. May I see Diaemus now?�

Unohana made the request softly. This time there was no hesitation on Ulquiorra�s part as he handed Unohana his infant son. A genuine smile lit up the Shinigami�s face as she held the newborn, gently but thoroughly examining him as well. Her slender finger tapped his small mouth and Diaemus, in the manner of all newborn things, tried to suckle on it. As he did so, the woman raised one of her eyebrows and withdrew her fingertip. A small bead of blood welled up from the tiny prick.

�Strange, he has a tooth already, a hollow one that is secreting a clear fluid,� she murmured in surprise.

�He is feeding from my blood,� Orihime admitted slowly.

�I see. That�s somewhat unusual.�

Unohana handed the baby back to Ulquiorra and with a swab, took a sample of the clear liquid and studied it under the glow of her Kido.

�I will need to analyse this a little more thoroughly, just to make sure it will have no harmful effects on you, Orihime-san, but I think I know what it is.�

�What is it?� Orihime asked.

�It seems to be an anti-coagulant. See, the small puncture is still bleeding even though it should have stopped by now,� she pointed to the small puncture on her own fingertip, and then to the cut on Orihime�s breast. �Many creatures that require blood to survive secrete such fluids to prevent the prey�s blood from clotting and preventing them from obtaining their meal. Ajuga-chan drew on Karin-san�s reiatsu to feed her Hollow requirement for sustenance. It would seem Diaemus-kun will initially get his from your blood.�

Orihime couldn�t help the worried expression that crept over her features at that pronouncement. Fortunately, Unohana held up one hand and gave her a reassuring look.

�Do not worry, Orihime-san, I am sure your son will be able to get what he needs from raw meat when he is older, just as Ajuga-chan gets what she needs from consuming her kills,� Unohana assured her with a confident smile. �If the amount of reiatsu he requires is anything like Ajuga�s, you should be fine as well. I doubt what he takes will even be enough to cause mild anaemia.�

Orihime let out a sigh of relief. It made her feel so much better hearing such news from Unohana.

�If not, I am sure Szayel-san will come up with something. He has certainly changed considerably over the last several years. He even asked to borrow �The Code of Ethics� book we use here at the 4^th,� she noted in a genuinely pleased voice.

�Karin-chan might have something to do with that,� Orihime chuckled.

�Regardless, it is nice to see such changes. I see nothing wrong with either one of you, but with your permission, Ulquiorra-san, I would like to check on them both bi-weekly for a while. If it would make you more comfortable, I am willing to do the check-ups at your house,� she offered.

�It is acceptable,� he agreed, pleased that he wouldn�t have to rely on anyone else to make sure his mate and son remained unmolested on their way to and from the 4^th Division.

Kami�s mate was more than welcomed into his den. Neither one of them could ever recall Unohana harming a single soul, both before, during, and after the war. She was probably the safest creature in existence, provided, of course, that one followed her instructions exactly.

There was something behind her closed eyed smile that hinted she could be very, very dangerous when angered. He surmised, from the way many of those within and without her Division treated her that no sane person would try to pick a fight with the woman. If the possibility of rousing her temper had been enough to make the late Soutaichou crawl meekly back into his bed, then that same temper was something that even Kami-sama might hesitate to deal with head-on.

�I will file your discharge papers then, and will see you in two weeks. Would you like me to clear the corridors or anything for your exit?� she asked politely.

�I shall be fine. Unlike Grimmjow I can control my instincts and do not feel the need to �bare my fangs� at everything around me in a flashy show of dominance meant to compensate for my lake of intellect and strength,� Ulquiorra assured her.

Orihime had to hold back a giggle at his response. Only Ulquiorra could insult someone while truthfully complimenting himself.

�Very well, then. I will see the two of you in two weeks.�

Unohana excused herself from the room, and closed the door behind her, taking her soothing presence with her.

�You need to get dressed,� he commented, holding his arms out.

She handed Diaemus over and crawled out of bed. She paused, once she was standing, to simply stare at him. Somehow Ulquiorra just looked so natural gently holding his son. It was a beautiful thing to behold and it drew a large smile.

�What?� he asked.

�Nothing,� she said, turning her attention back to getting dressed in the spare kimono that had been brought for her.

He gave her a look that said he didn�t believe her, but didn�t push the issue. Once dressed Ulquiorra handed Diaemus back to her, wrapped up snugly in a blanket. The trip home was uneventful, but she did notice one thing that gave her a faint smile. For all of his posturing about controlling his instincts and emotions, his eyes never once remained still and one hand rested on his Zanpakuto�s hilt the entire way. It wasn�t until they�d arrived back home that his shoulders and stance relaxed.

Orihime thought about calling him on it, but decided to leave well enough alone. For someone like Ulquiorra, who liked to be in control at all times, this must have been an uncomfortably unnerving situation. It was to his credit that he�d managed to curb his instincts as well and for as long as he had. She hated to think of what might have occurred to some poor innocent bystander on the way home if Ulquiorra had any less control over himself.

Now that she was finally home she realized just how sticky she was, still covered in the dried sweat from her labour that Unohana hadn�t managed to wipe away. Suddenly, the thought of a shower was a very welcomed one.

�Can you watch Diaemus-kun for me while I clean myself up?� she requested.

He nodded his head in agreement and once more took his son. Orihime retreated to their room to gather a change of clothes before heading to the bathroom. After a much-needed cleansing, she came back out. What confronted her made her blink in surprise.

Her mate lay on the couch with Diaemus balanced on his chest. They both appeared to be sleeping soundly. She took in the scene for a few moments before turning on her heel and hurrying to their room. Smirking, she returned to where they lay, the camera Karin had gotten for her ages ago in her hands.

It was, she decided, the perfect time to start a photo-album of memories. One day Diaemus would have a girlfriend, and when that day came she would make sure she had several collections of baby pictures with which to embarrass him.

Besides, a little bit of blackmail material involving her mate wouldn�t hurt either. She just knew Ulquiorra would do almost anything to prevent such a picture of him being so soft and vulnerable from being spread

Loves to you all. Not feeling so hot today so here is the update and I am going to curl up feeling miserable now. I did enjoy reading all your responses to pet fanfiction peeves and the post birth information several of you put forth was interesting, not to mention good to know. See you all next week, hopefully.
- 85
- 86
- 87
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