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Blinking his eyes a few times to adjust to the light, Ichigo sat up as he rubbed them. His eyes were irritated and everything seemed a bit fuzzy, due to having cried too much last night. He hadn't cried like that since Grimmjow's last rejection to him and now he had done it again. He made out someone walking toward him and as the fuzziness left his eyes, he saw that it was Ulquiorra. The pale arrancar was carrying a tray full of food with him. As he sat on the edge of the bed, he handed the food to him and told him to eat. Looking over it, it looked really good but there was a lot there to eat and he wasn't sure if he could stomach all if it, he'd be lucky if he could keep any of it down. There were six good sized rice balls, some sushi, a bowl of miso soup, and a side of tamagoyaki. He had never had it before but he's gotten good reports on it from his friends.
"Thanks but… this is a lot…"
"You need a lot of nutrients to support the baby." he answered simply. "Eating in large portions, helps to keep most of it down anyway. You'll be fine." he said as he got up to walk back into the kitchen to start the dishes. He had made quite a mess cooking all the food.
"Do you need help?" Ichigo asked as he put the tray down.
"No. Just stay where you are and eat." Ichigo sighed and dug in. "What... what happened?" he asked, looking at the boy who looked back, confused as he chewed his food. "Last night." Ichigo stopped chewing and looked down sadly before continuing and swallowing before answering.
"He uh..." he sighed. “Aizen wanted to see us and suggested that we come out with the truth and I agreed with him while Grimmjow... not so much. He threw a fit and he said that everything was my fault... that I deserved what was happening to me and that if I hadn't been born, no one would be in pain." Ulquiorra felt anger tugging at his mind. "I went home and later he did too..." he lightly shook his head as his tearful eyes meet the raven's. “But we didn't talk about it. Instead we talked about why I wanted to come here. I just... I just wanted him to see me for once..." he lowered his head again. "And for the first time, we kissed." surprisingly, Ulquiorra didn't feel any jealously, he only felt more anger. Anger towards Grimmjow. How could he do that to this boy and then just toss him away like nothing? "Then suddenly he pushed me away and told me to leave and never come back..." Ulquiorra walked over to bed to sit on the edge as he dried his hands on a towel. "The only reason I actually left was because he threatened mine and the baby's lives-" he gasped when arms wrapped around him.
"I'm sorry that he did that to you." well wasn't this just an utter shock? "Things will be better for you here."
"Thanks Ulquiorra." Ichigo sighed in contentment as he hugged him back.
"Lilinette has invited everyone over for a celebration party and I think its best that you come along." the raven stated as he pulled away to go back to attending the dishes.
"Lilinette? Who's that?" Ichigo asked, taking another bite out of one of the rice balls.
"The other half of Starrk's soul. You can ask them to explain when you meet them."
"Okay… who's Starrk?"
"The first Espada."
"Oh… well what are we celebrating?" the other shrugged. "Alright sure, whatever." he stopped and stared at the piece of food in his hand when a thought occurred to him. "Will Grimmjow be there?"
"Yes. All ten Espada will be attending." Ichigo involuntarily shivered. The very thought of seeing the blunet again scared him.
"I don't want you and I don't want the thing in you..."
The berry's free hand rubbed his stomach gently. He was so scared to face him.
... ... ...
As Ichigo walked into the large room behind Ulquiorra, he instantly noticed Grimmjow sitting in the far corner with a dangerous glare in his eyes. He looked about ready to kill someone… most likely the berry. Just being in the same room as the blunet, gave him an insecure feeling. Feelings of guilt, sorrow, and suffering blew through him like waves crashing against him, crushing and pounding his heart into nothing but dust.
"Ichigo." someone called and he turned to see a blond, dark skinned woman motioning him to her. He looked at Ulquiorra who nodded before going over to her. "My name Tier Harribel. I'm the third Espada." he nodded though didn't say anything. Grimmjow caught his eye and he noticed that the blue haired arrancar was glaring death at the woman. Ichigo knew what that meant. She knew something that he didn't want her to tell him. "Allow me to introduce you properly to everyone." he nodded again and she took his hand which was weird to him. He had seen her a lot around the place and at the meetings and he took her to be a rather isolated, unsocial type of person. Regardless of which, he blushed. He hadn't held a woman's hand since his mother had been murdered and he had forgotten how soft and sooth their hands are. He heard someone growl and oddly, it sounded like Grimmjow. Harribel had dragged him over to a tall brunet and a little girl with pale green hair. "This is the first Espada, Coyote Starrk and his other half, Lilinette Gingerbuck." Ichigo bowed as he greeted them, he had seen the man in meetings before but he'd never seen the girl before.
Coyote Starrk and Lilinette Gingerbuck, first Espada.
"No need to be so formal Ichigo." Starrk said as he yawned.
"Yeah that gets so boring." the small girl spoke, shooing him as if he already bored her.
"O-okay..." Tier tugged on his hand and he followed her around to be introduced to everyone.
Baraggan Louisenbairn, second Espada.
The old man nodded in greeting which Ichigo returned.
Tier Harribel, third Espada.
She reintroduced herself.
Ulquiorra Schiffer, fourth Espada.
The raven paid them no mind as he continued what he was doing.
Nnoitra Gilga, fifth Espada.
The tall man only chuckled and looked away, not sparing him any other actions.
Grimmjow Jeagerjaques, sixth Espada.
The blunet never looked at him; the blond had completely skipped over him, knowing that Ichigo knew more about him than any of them did.
Zommari Rureaux, seventh Espada.
The dark man bowed in respect though ignored him after that.
"Excuse me." a pink haired man slid in front of him. "Szayel Aporro Granz, eighth Espada." he introduced himself with a deep bow.
Szayel Aporro Granz, eighth Espada.
As he stood up, he adjusted his glasses. "I'm the man who does everything around here. If you need anything, just inform me." he spoke with a sort of seductive tone that creeped Ichigo out. The man was obviously full of himself and he, minus the creep factor, reminded him of Uryuu.
"I'll... be sure to do that." Tier pulled him away.
"I'd stay away from him if I were you. He's a very sick man." Ichigo nodded, having gotten the vibe.
Aaroniero Arruruerie, ninth Espada.
Two different voices threatened his life and after that, he disappeared though what Ichigo didn't notice was that so had Grimmjow.
Yammy Llargo, tenth Espada.
The large man glared at him and Ichigo chuckled nervously before moving on. The two had already met... and Ichigo cut his arm off. Apparently he was one to hold a grudge.
"Thanks for that Harribel." Ichigo thanked as he sat next to Ulquiorra, the third sitting next to him.
"No problem. I have a request, however."
"What is it?" the berry asked when she didn't continue.
"Can I be the godparent?" she whispered and his eyes widened. She knew? Ulquiorra leaned forward to peer around Ichigo to see her.
"No, that is my role. I'm taking care of Ichigo so it's my responsibility." Ichigo's head turned to him, his eyes begging him to stop talking about it.
"I could take care of him better than you could. The child will need a woman to help raise them not a house full of males."
"I'm the godparent and that's that."
"Uh guys... don't I get a say in this?" Ichigo asked, his voice sounding a little higher than he liked. They continued arguing about it so Ichigo stood and left, sitting somewhere else. He noticed Grimmjow walking back in and he glared harder at Ichigo as he walked up to him.
"You're in my spot." he growled.
"I am? Oh... sorry..." he apologized as he moved.
"You should be." the blunet responded as he sat back down. They stayed in silence as Ichigo stared at the blunet, ignoring everyone else that talked around them. "What?" the sixth shouted, glaring up at the teen.
"Uh... n-nothing..."
"Then piss off and leave me alone." he hissed.
"What's going on here?" Ulquiorra asked as he and Tier stepped up to either of the berry's sides.
"Nothin' he's just getting outta my face." Grimmjow growled, staring out the window again.
"Grimmjow-"
"No, it's fine." Ulquiorra cut in on the third. All feelings of love he had for the man, exiting his mind. The one thing he cared for at the moment was Ichigo and the unborn child. "Let's go. Apparently Grimmjow is too much of a pussy to face Ichigo after knocking him up." the pale Espada stated as he folded his arms, his stare remaining blank. The room fell deathly silent. Everyone knew someone was about to die.
"What the fuck are you talking about?"
"Don't play innocent Grimmjow." the raven ordered. "You just can't accept that-" he stopped when Ichigo collapsed as he screamed, clutching his stomach. "Ichigo!" he exclaimed, rushing to his side. He was about to pick him up when he was shoved out of the way. Grimmjow knelt next to the berry, sliding his arms under him. Ulquiorra quickly pulled him away from the teen before he could get a grip and refrained from hitting him before taking the boy into his arms and fleeing the room with Tier following behind him, making sure that Grimmjow stayed in the room. He wasn't about to allow Grimmjow to try to care for him just to turn around and crush him once more. That's all he had ever done to him.
"How's he doing?" Tier asked as she caught up.
"He'll be fine." he said as he slowed his run and sighed in relief when Ichigo's screams turned into simple pants for breath. "I'm going to get him to bed, you may head back now." she nodded, not being one to argue. Ichigo was his responsibility now and the raven seemed to know what was best for the boy. She stopped and turned back, noticing that Starrk was coming up the hall after them.
"He's alright and Ulquiorra has requested that we go back." the blond informed him and Starrk nodded.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~
By the time they got to their place, Ichigo was walking... well he demanded to walk but he was leaning on the raven so much, he was practically still being carried. When they walked into the room, Ulquiorra helped the teen over to the bed and tucked him in. When he gagged, he grabbed the trashcan and held it up for him which he proceeded to throw his breakfast up into it. He didn't feel completely empty like he usually did so he guessed that Ulquiorra was right when he said that eating in large portions helped keep some of it down. When he was finished he coughed and sat back as the other put the trashcan back where it was, he'd take it out later. Placing a hand on his forehead, the raven noticed that he was beginning to get a fever.
"Lie down and try to get some rest, I'll be right back." he said before leaving, taking the trashcan with him. He left it outside for now and went into the kitchen to soak a rag before walking back out to the bed to place the wet cloth on the berry's forehead.
"Thank you... Ulquiorra." he just nodded in response. "Really. Thank you for taking me in..."
"You're welcome. Now get some rest." more than happy to obey the command, the teen scooted down until he was on his back and rested his head against the pillow. It only took a few moments for him to pass out. Ulquiorra watched him sleep, feeling a rather strong urge to kiss his head but he refused to do it regardless that the boy was sound asleep. He sighed. What was he going to do with him? Taking care of the teen like this made him feel like such a parent. The raven placed a pale hand on the boy's stomach, inhaling sharply from the pulse of the developing reiatsu he received. It wasn't just Grimmjow's mixed with Ichigo's anymore... yes it still held some of each but it was nearly its own reiatsu altogether. The child was developing quickly. The Espada laid his head on the others torso as he sighed. How he wanted to hold the baby... he didn't know why he was so excited about this when he had been so angry about it when he was first told but he just was. Ichigo shifted under the sheets and the other thought nothing of it until his body shook and jumped violently as he screamed. Ulquiorra held his shoulders down as he called over his screams for him to wake up, that it was just a dream. Then he yelled out Grimmjow's name a few times as tears flowed out of the corners of his eyes. He was having a nightmare about the blunet. "Ichigo!" the arrancar yelled and said berry's eyes shot open and he looked around to see where he was and when he figured it out, he fell into Ulquiorra who accepted him into his arms. He clung onto the raven tightly as if he were the only thing he knew was real.
"I just wanted him to see me!" he repeated, crying into the others chest.
"I know... I know..." the arrancar shushed him before kissing his head gently and returning to his soothing words. "I'll be right back-"
"NO!" Ichigo exclaimed as he tried to move but was held onto tighter. "Don't go-please don't go! Please... please don't... don't go... don't..." Ulquiorra looked down at him with sympathetic eyes.
"Okay... I won't go." he answered, laying another kiss on his head before moving to lay next to him, keeping his arms wrapped around him securely as the boy snuggled into him, moving around until he was comfortable. It took at least an hour until the berry's crying died down and turned into peaceful sighs as he slept. 'Grimmjow... if you hurt him again... I will personally rip you to shreds.' he glared at the door, feeling the blunet's presence just beyond it. 'That's a promise.'