Chapter 4: Circle of Friends

"You want to say that again?" Kisuke asked, his eyes glinting warningly, "because I know I can't have heard you say that you're knocked up with Aizen Sousuke's kid! If you're trying to be funny here…"

"Do I look like I'm making a joke?" Ichigo snapped angrily, "I'm not kidding you. The only one I've been with…like, ever, is Aizen."

"You had sex with him?" Kisuke repeated in a disbelieving tone.

Beside him, Tetsuya caught his breath and blushed brightly.

"While you were with us there?" the shopkeeper went on, shaking his head as though unable to process the words, "That's just not possible! We were right there! Tetsuya was beside you the whole time! You mean, he was able to, not only hypnotize Tetsuya? He hypnotized me from that far away? Damn it! I knew I couldn't trust Kurotsuchi about the strength of that chair! I need to get over there and…"

"Kisuke!" Tetsuya exclaimed, "we have a larger problem! You know that a breeder male needs infusions from the father to sustain and grow the baby's reiatsu."

"You don't have to have it be the father," Kisuke said sharply, "Another person with a strong enough resonance…"

"You know also that the failure rate of the pregnancy will at least double if it is not the father," Tetsuya insisted, "Not to mention that there is twice the danger that the destabilization will also claim the life of the bearer!"

Ichigo's face paled.

"You mean…unless he does these infusions, I could die?" he asked in a stunned tone, "I mean, I know you hate Aizen, but do you really want me and the kid inside me to die too?"

Kisuke stared back at Ichigo wordlessly. Tetsuya took a steadying breath and narrowed his eyes.

"Of course not," he answered, shooting the shopkeeper a petulant glare, "Kisuke was just surprised at hearing this. You can understand that, can't you? We all saw the wickedness that Aizen Sousuke perpetrated on Soul Society. He tried to kill people we all care about. You must understand how shocking it is to hear that you would…would make a child with him, especially when you know that…"

"I didn't know I was gonna get pregnant!" Ichigo yelled, "I had no idea it was possible. But now that I know there's a kid inside me, I can't just let someone knock me out and kill the kid. Whatever Aizen's done, this kid hasn't done anything wrong! I mean, obviously, I screwed up, but this kid is totally innocent. Look, I get that Aizen is a monster. I'm not even gonna dispute that, but…"

Kisuke's tormented expression turned suddenly darkly curious.

"You're gonna tell me there's a reason that you forgot all of the heinous things that man did? You found something redeeming about him? You found something likable enough about that murderous bastard to go in there and have sex with him? Are you out of your mind, Ichigo? You're lucky that Tetsuya's here, and that he's my lover, because…right now? That is the only reason I'm not going to kill you myself!"

"Kisuke…" Tetsuya whispered, giving his lover a stunned look.

"I'm not going to hurt Ichigo or his baby," Kisuke said in a low, rough voice, "I just want Ichigo to really think about how serious this is. Aizen hollowfied a handful of our taichos and fukutaichos. He framed me for that crime, and he got me banned from Soul Society. Ichigo, he is the one who sent that hollow after your father…you know, the one that infected your mother and…"

"And led to me being born?" Ichigo pointed out, shocking the shopkeeper into silence, "I get it. I know how much everyone hates him. I know he earned their hatred."

"Yeah," Kisuke said disbelievingly, "and I thought he earned yours too. But, that's not what I'm seeing, here. You're standing there, telling me that you went to Aizen and let him have his way with you. What was that? Some kind screwed up compensation for the fact that now, he's really gonna die in prison or something?"

"No!" Ichigo exclaimed, slamming his hands down on the desk in front of him, "I didn't go to Aizen to have sex with him! I went to him because…because of something that I learned while I was in the royal realm…something that the soul king, himself, shared with me before he died. He made a point that I knew about it, and he knew it would make me go and see Aizen. I swear to you, I didn't go there with the intent of having sex with him. I don't even know for sure why it happened. It just…did. And the crazy thing is…I think the king wanted it to happen that way."

"That's just insane," Kisuke sighed, closing his eyes and rubbing his hands over his face, "Ichigo…"

"I guess you don't have to help me," Ichigo said, turning away, "You can choose not to get involved, but I hope you won't hurt me or this kid."

Kisuke glanced at Tetsuya and let out a breath of resignation, seeing the tears building up in the corners of the younger man's wide, blue eyes.

"Of course I'm not going to hurt you or the baby," Kisuke chided him, "I may not like your taste in sexual partners, but the truth is, I owe you several times over, both for crap I've pulled that you've gotten dragged into, and for you doing what I couldn't do, on more than one occasion. I suppose that saving our worlds several times over should earn you a little understanding. I'll do my best to help you, but Ichigo, I've gotta tell you. I don't know how this can possibly work out. Even if no one figures out you're carrying the child of the most wicked shinigami in known history, there's a million different ways this could blow up in all our faces. Tetsuya and I are both pregnant too. We have a lot to lose if something goes wrong."

"I know that," Ichigo assured him, "I know. I just…don't know where else to go. I mean, if the three worlds' biggest genius can't think of a way out of this for me, then, I think I'm pretty much screwed."

"Take it easy," Kisuke scolded him, shaking his head and crossing his arms, "I didn't say it couldn't be done. I was just saying we have to be really, really careful."

He turned his pale grey eyes onto Tetsuya for a moment.

"And honey," he went on, slipping a hand into his lover's, "I don't want you to be implicated in this, in any way."

"But I'm Ichigo's friend, too!" Tetsuya objected, "And you're just as pregnant as I am!"

"Kisuke's right," Ichigo said, giving Tetsuya an apologetic look, "It's bad enough getting Kisuke involved, but you're in a worse position, because you're close to Byakuya. I don't want to do anything to cause trouble between the two of you."

"You aren't going to do that," Tetsuya said firmly, "And besides, Kisuke and I are lovers. What involves one of us, involves both of us. Even if I wanted to avoid being involved, you know I would be caught up anyway. And…as a designated healer, you know that the healer's oath will shield me somewhat from severe consequences."

"W-well, he's right about that," Kisuke mused thoughtfully.

"Tetsuya," Ichigo said worriedly, "I don't want you to get hurt."

"I don't want you to get hurt either," Tetsuya said stubbornly, "So, I am going to join my lover in helping you. That way, I can protect you both."

Kisuke and Ichigo exchanged stymied glances.

"I guess there's no convincing him," Kisuke said, slipping a strong arm around his slighter partner.

"I just know that if Ichigo is to do this, then my powers are going to be helpful. To start with, I can get Ichigo quietly in and out of Muken, in the short term, to make sure that the infusions are completed. I go regularly with Kisuke to heal and comfort Aizen Sousuke. I will simply use my waterforms to hide his presence."

"Good thinking," Kisuke said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "although, I don't like the idea of Sousuke learning about this kid. Ichigo, even though you're still on the fence about your Soul Society connections with the Shiba clan, you have to realize that Aizen's going to make the connection. He was knee-deep in what happened to your parents. He knows you're a Shiba. If he learns about the kid, it could give him a legitimate way to try to weasel his way out of Muken…and I know you don't want that."

Ichigo stiffened.

"Wait a minute. What?" he asked, frowning.

Kisuke and Tetsuya exchanged loaded glances.

"Ichigo," the shopkeeper went on, "if you reveal to everyone that you are a Shiba, you'll be in line for leadership, so Central 46 won't be able to simply order you to abort the pregnancy. There are rules carefully protecting the rights of clan heirs and leaders and their offspring. They can challenge your clan and argue for aborting the baby, but they can't force it on you, like they can if you are not acknowledged."

Ichigo's face radiated with growing torment.

"So, what you're telling me is that the only way to keep Central 46 from being able to just order the death of my baby…is to claim my place as the Shiba heir and get my clan reinstated?"

"W-well, it may be a little more complicated than that. See, the Shiba clan is still technically banished from the great clans. You need to get them reinstated first, then you can assert your rights, once you are made. I have to warn you, though. There are a million things that could go wrong, well before we start talking about you and Aizen becoming Shiba prince and consort."

"Huh? Are you saying I'd have to marry the guy too?"

Kisuke shrugged.

"If you want him protected, yeah. You would have to acknowledge him publicly and marry him legally. If you're gonna go that way, then I suggest you marry him secretly now and just reveal it later. You also have to make sure no one knows about the baby until after the Shiba clan is reinstated and you are made heir. The Shiba elders aren't as stuffy as the ones from the other great clans, but even they have their limits…and with this, they are going to go off the rails when they do find out. This is a horrible idea, Ichigo. My two cents worth says that if you want to protect your baby, you should go into hiding and have the kid, then just keep quiet about where he or she came from."

"But, Tetsuya said that the risk to the baby and me doubles if I don't get infusions from the father of the baby."

"Yeah, that's true," Kisuke sighed, shaking his head, "I don't know. Maybe you should think about this a little."

"Although, if he is already having fainting spells, he really needs the initial infusion," Tetsuya argued, "We are going back to heal Aizen today. We should take Ichigo with us."

Kisuke paused, thinking carefully as he studied Ichigo's troubled face.

"I can drug Aizen this time, so you don't have to tell him about the kid," the shopkeeper offered, "You wanna think this through, Ichigo. You don't want that guy to know unless it's on your terms, not his. You give Aizen an inch, and we'll all be dead before we can hit the floor. Remember what he did to Central 46. You know, Ichigo. You know how brutal he is."

Kisuke turned his eyes onto Tetsuya.

"Which reminds me, sweetheart," he continued, turning his attention to his pregnant lover, "You need to be extra careful around him, okay? The protections you have around you when you work with him are only as effective as our powers. We're both pregnant now, so we have to be extra careful, and have backups in case that bastard gets frisky."

"I understand," Tetsuya assured him, "I always keep in mind while I am around him that he is a vicious criminal, and is only not hurting me because it doesn't benefit him to do so."

Kisuke looked back at Ichigo with a meaningful expression.

"You'd best remember that too, Ichigo, if you want to live long enough to have that baby."

"Believe me, I'm not going to be taking any chances. I don't want anything to happen to this kid. Whatever Aizen's done, this kid deserves a chance to live, just like the rest of us. Just because the baby was fathered by a monster, doesn't mean he or she will be one too."

"I happen to agree with you," Kisuke admitted more quietly, "but there are a lot of people in powerful positions in Soul Society who feel different on the matter. And they won't hold back when it comes to showing that."

"I get it," Ichigo assured him, "I've got to keep this quiet…at least, for now, while I decide what to do. I'm going to go and get that infusion from him when you and Tetsuya go, then…"

Ichigo's breath caught and he stared in surprise as the door to the guest room slammed open, and Renji stepped into the room, followed by a more collected, but still concerned looking Byakuya.

"Renji! Byakuya!" the ginger-haired man exclaimed, smiling at the two, "What're you doing here?"

"I heard my buddy passed out, and I came to make sure you were okay. Taichou decided he wanted to come with me."

"We have a short leave from work, so we thought we would visit and check in," Byakuya added.

He turned a darker eye on Kisuke.

"There was also a rumor going around that my cousin was seeing someone here. Judging by your and Tetsuya's attire, and your flustered reiatsu, it would seem to be true."

"Well, I can explain that…" Kisuke began.

"In a moment," Byakuya said, moving closer to Ichigo, "First, I want to know Ichigo's condition. Are you all right?"

"Uh, yeah," Ichigo said, smiling and running his fingers through his hair, "I guess I just overdid it too soon after everything. I passed out and Tetsuya and Kisuke were taking care of me."

"You were fortunate to have arrived here before collapsing," Byakuya said quietly, "But you are sure it was just residual exhaustion from the fighting and not another problem?"

"Yes," Kisuke confirmed, "Tetsuya and I went over him thoroughly, and we didn't find anything else of concern. Ichigo just needs to rest and eat a lot."

"Well, Renji chuckled, "I'll be happy to help with the eating."

"Not surprising," Byakuya said teasingly under his breath.

"Hey!"

"Sounds like I need to have Tessai whip up some breakfast for all of us," Kisuke said cheerfully, heading out of the room.

"Tetsuya," Byakuya said solemnly, "Do you mind if we speak privately for a moment?"

"Ah, of course," Tetsuya said, blushing as he followed his cousin out of the room.

Renji sat down next to the bed, letting out a long breath.

"Man, I'm hungry. I hope it doesn't take too long before the food's ready."

"You're always hungry," Ichigo laughed.

"Hey," Renji said more seriously, "you sure you're okay? You weren't looking so well the other day either."

"Eh, I'm okay," Ichigo sighed, sitting up straighter, "I guess wrecking Ywach was a little harder on me than I thought. I'm glad you came through okay. It's a good thing, Sousuke used his illusions to trade places with you, or you might've been history."

"R-right," Renji said, shifting uncomfortably, "I forgot about that."

"I don't think you're the only one," Ichigo commented, "People seem to forget that he could've chosen not to help, or he could've chosen to help kill all of us. I don't know exactly why he didn't, considering the thanks he's gotten."

Renji gave him a curious look.

"Ichigo, what's going on with you?" his red-haired friend asked worriedly.

"What do you mean?" Ichigo countered, frowning, "I'm just tired, that's all. You heard Kisuke and Tetsuya before."

"Yeah, I heard them. That's not what I'm talking about. You're showing an awful lot of concern for a criminal who you helped to put in Muken because he tried to kill all of us."

"Yeah, I know he's a monster. You don't have to remind me."

"And since when do you call that guy by his first name? You guys buddies or something now? I didn't think it was such a great idea when you went to visit him. Taichou was with me on that too, because you don't seem to be yourself after seeing him."

"Renji…"

"Just hear me out, here. Ichigo, are you sure he didn't, you know, do something creepy to you, or affect your thinking or something? He's really twisted and sneaky as hell. He could've done something and you might not know it."

"Aizen didn't do anything to me!" Ichigo snapped, "I'm fine. I'm just worn out from the fighting. Anyone would be. Why are you trying to make it into more than it is?"

"I'm not!" Renji shouted, "I'm just worried about my friend, who isn't himself after going to see Aizen. You can understand how that might be worrisome, right? I'm not making shit up. You're clearly not yourself. And I'm not the only one who's noticed. Pretty much everyone is saying the same thing. It's not like we wanna piss you off or anything. We just care about you. Last time I checked, that wasn't a crime."

Ichigo's glare faded and he gave a shuddering sigh.

"Sorry," he apologized, "I know I'm not acting like myself. But if you think about it, every time I've faced something big…Aizen, Kariya and the Bounts, Kugo Ginjo? I was different for awhile after. It's just how I get after a big conflict."

"Yeah," Renji agreed, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck, "I guess you're right about that. It just seems, I don't know, more different than usual this time. Just wanna make sure you're okay, you know?"

"I know," Ichigo sighed, smiling wearily, "I shouldn't have gotten mad about that. I'm grateful to you and everybody for watching out for me. I just don't think I need anything but lots of rest and time to think everything through."

"You're funny that way," Renji observed, "Taichou says that you tend to act impulsively, which is to say, without thinking first, and then you tend to think too much after."

"Byakuya said that?"

"Yeah."

"I don't think I've heard him say that much at one time," Ichigo remarked, grinning, "He must really like you."

"Damned straight."

"You must have interesting pillow talk," Ichigo snickered.

"Eh, shut up," Renji laughed, "We don't have much time for talking. With us, I think actions speak louder than words."

"Oh my god," Ichigo said, rolling his eyes, "Would you get outta here? I'm supposed to be resting, here."

"You do that. Take it easy, okay?"

"I will," Ichigo promised.

Renji left the room, and a moment later, Tetsuya reappeared, wearing a flustered expression. He moved to Ichigo's side and began a gentle infusion of reiatsu.

"Are you feeling any better?" Tetsuya asked.

"I'm doing okay," Ichigo answered, "How about you? How did Byakuya take the news."

"Um," Tetsuya said, blushing more brightly, "he held back pretty carefully with me, because he's worried about the pregnancy being hard on me. He's yelling at Kisuke now."

"Oh man…sorry, Tetsuya."

"It's fine," Tetsuya sighed, "but you may want to be ready."

"Huh? Ready for what?"

"I have a feeling Byakuya-sama will be insisting on an immediate wedding."

"I thought he didn't like Kisuke."

"He doesn't," Tetsuya said, shaking his head, "But he likes the idea of my name being tarnished by an unwed pregnancy even more."