Surrender

Shadow of an Echo

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach it belongs to Tite Kubo.

Summary: The Captains are called to a meeting, where they expect another potentially boring update on the peacetime happenings in the soul society. What they find is anything but. Ichigo is back, only he isn't alone, but his companion is a little, ah, different than usual. Yaoi, Mpreg, KenIchi.

Rating: MATURE

Warnings: YAOI! This is not a pure smut fic, but there will be sex between two men. Mpreg, which means a male will be carrying a baby, it will be explained plausibly (relative to the Bleach universe) but it will still happen. Also I do not write rape between my main pairings, but the two personalities I am working with here are strong, and they both enjoy a challenge, so they will not be engaging in vanilla type sex. I don't write extremely graphic sex scenes, but there will be pleasure/pain and other aspects of non-gentle lovemaking.

I guess it should also be mentioned that Ichigo will be different from canon, I don't really consider this ooc, rather he is simply older and has had more time to gather his confidence. He isn't fifteen anymore, that's all.

A/N I haven't abandoned anything, but this plot attacked me. I have the first couple thousand words written on three different chapters for current stories, but when I sat down to finish one this kept popping into my head. I wasn't going to get anything else updated until I wrote it out, so here you go. There is no real intense plot, but I wouldn't call it fluffy either, not with the characters I'm working with. I'm just having fun with this one, so I don't anticipate it being much longer than 15-20 chapters.

Chapter One

Possession

Twelve people in white haoris were lined up in front of Head-Captain Yamamoto. The strongest fighters, and the best minds, the Seireitei had to offer; each one guiding a portion of the Shinigami that made up the Gotei 13. Yamamoto never expected that number to include three people who were each half of the very creature they were all trained to hunt down and kill but the Visoreds had earned their spots back, many times over. The other hybrids were all back in the Soul Society as well even if they couldn't retain their old positions since they had been filled since their leaving. They had been given teaching positions at the academy, training the new recruits to be strong and fair.

It had been five years since the winter war, three since they had given Ichigo Kurosaki his power back, and the twenty year old Substitute Soul Reaper was back, but only the Head Captain knew that was why the meeting had been called. Normally when Ichigo showed up, he just came and visited his friends, he didn't bother with all this formality. Yet the boy had come to Yamamoto with a serious expression on his young face replacing the usual scowl, he had something he needed to share with the Captains, as it would affect his ability to perform his duties in the Living World and he would need permission to stay in Soul Society for a while. The stubborn brat wouldn't even tell Yamamoto what it was until everyone was together; he didn't want to say it more than he had to apparently.

So the Head Captain had him wait in the next room while his subordinates gathered, the mass of collected Spiritual Pressure in the room covering the substitute's, as Ichigo had been steadily learning control over the past few years of peace.

When the Captains were all there, and the first to arrive were starting to shift restlessly at the wait, Yamamoto called out, "Substitute Shinigami Ichigo Kurosaki, come forward and state your reasons for summoning this meeting."

Ichigo heard him through the thin paper door, and calmly walked out, he had gone over this meeting so many times in his head he was pretty sure the only thing that he hadn't imagined yet was thirteen fire breathing dragons, so this room of people he knew, fought side by side, and back to back with was nothing too daunting. Well, yet. He kept his steps simple and measured until he was facing Yamamoto, even with the Captains from Squad Two and Three, Soi Fon and Rose. For once, he actually showed some respect and inclined his head to the extremely aged Shinigami, "Thank you for calling this meeting, it's important." He started out, not sure where to go from there.

Yamamoto realized this, and knew if they were going to get anywhere, he needed to prompt him. "You stated earlier you may be unable to carry out your Shinigami duties, why is that the case? You appear healthy and uninjured."

Ichigo's reaction was a bit odd, he slowly lifted his head, running a hand down his stomach to smooth down his Shihakusho. The three Captains with a decent enough view could see what the motion revealed, and for the rest the words that followed filled them in, "I'm pregnant." He didn't say it loudly, but you could have heard a pin drop after them the statement struck so hard.

Well Yamamoto couldn't say he hadn't thought it might have been a possibility with the way the young Shinigami had been avoiding his questions. "We will dispatch another Shinigami in your place while you stay here for the child." Yamamoto allowed, the first to speak, and seeing Ichigo breathe a nearly silent sigh of relief. "There are a few things to take care of next, first thing is, Captain Unohana, please come here and do a brief scan to make sure a deeper check is not immediately necessary." Yamamoto ordered, though Retsu might just be the only Captain that his orders sounded a whole lot more like requests.

With the summons, Retsu stepped out of line between Soi Fon and Byakuya, walking serenely towards Ichigo. "It's alright, this is going to feel warm, and maybe a little ticklish." She reassured as her hands began to glow softly with the scanning Kido.

"I trust you," Ichigo replied simply, but Retsu understood they weren't words he said often, so she nodded in acknowledgement of the respect.

Ichigo was not showing a whole lot yet. He didn't have a full on baby bump, but the defined abs were gone, and in their place where there might have been flab if the lack of muscle was the result of no training; he was firm and solid with the beginnings of a curve. When Retsu put her hand over the little bulge, it did feel warm and tingly, and was altogether pleasant.

She left her hands there for a few moments, a soft smile on her face that steadily widened, until the normally completely composed and sedate Captain broke out in peals of bell like laughter. Through the pretty sound, she was able to ask, "Ichigo that spiritual pressure, the father is…?" She trailed off, but there could be no doubt she was feeling a distinctly familiar essence flooding her senses, and Ichigo would know she would recognize it.

His lips twitched up in a smirk, "Yeah." He confirmed.

"Oh, this is going to be so much fun, but I do think I should add a few extra beds to my healing units. If anyone even looks at this child wrong, I do believe you two are going to beat them senseless." The straightforward way Retsu said that made several other Captains sweat drop.

"You can bet we will." Ichigo promised.

Shunsui couldn't resist, he had been expecting another bore him to tears meeting, and now he actually had some entertainment. "I take it the baby is a girl then?"

Ichigo turned a bit to take in the Squad Eight Captain, the smirk once again dancing on his lips, "Oh no, if my baby was a girl, Captain Unohana would need a new wing, not a few more beds. I'm having a boy."

"A very healthy baby boy, with spiritual pressure already extremely high, this is going to be one exceptionally strong Shinigami." Retsu informed, removing her hand. "You are a little over four months along."

Yamamoto nodded his head in thanks to the healing Captain as she retook her spot in line with the others, before he readdressed Ichigo. "The health of the child is good news. Now, for your stay here ideally you should be housed in the Squad which contains both the best protection for you both and the other father to your child. As the child's father will likely be revealed in a few month's time anyway, I ask that you tell now so proper arrangements can be made." Something this sensitive had to be a question, even the Head-Captain would not put such a personal aspect of person's life under a microscope. It was Ichigo's choice to say something now, or wait.

In answer, Ichigo looked down at his stomach, running his hands over the flesh housing his son, and when he spoke the listening Captains were momentarily confused thinking he might be talking to the baby, until they realized the child's father was in the room. "Well, are you going to keep standing there in shock, or are you going to come claim what is yours?" It was undeniably a challenge, despite his head being down; his voice was strong with a fiery after tone to it.

"Tch, yah know I was just waitin for yah tah say it was alright for them tah know." The sound of tinkling bells and heavy steps followed the just next to growled words.

Ichigo waited for the sound of the footsteps to be right behind him before he whirled around, hand on the large expanse of exposed chest in front of him, eyes raised once more to meet one covered eye and one burning with lust and excitement. "Let me make one thing damn clear to you Kenpachi, shall I? I am your lover, your partner, and I love you, but if you ever make the mistake of calling me a possession, I will be more than happy to reintroduce you to the business end of Zangetsu. That being said." Here Ichigo reached out and took the bloodthirsty Captain's gigantic hand, laying it over their baby, and it completely covered what little curve there was to him. "This is your son. Don't you EVER deny him. I don't care where we are, who is around, and whether or not they know I am the one who carried him. He is ours, mine and yours, so you better be ready to be his father."

The large hand tightened possessively, but not painfully, and there was a grin spreading across Kenpachi Zaraki's face. "Now why in the Hell would I deny my son? 'Specially when he's got a mother like you." Now he was just trying to fire up Ichigo.

It was working. "Hey! I am so not going to be mother. You get to be father, but I am dad, got it?" Ichigo grumbled, eyes blazing at the implication of the feminine address.

"Huh, feels like you're going tah be mother tah me," Oh, now Ichigo was really mad, Kenpachi loved every second of it.

Backing away from Kenpachi and crossing his arms in front of him, Ichigo responded with, "And whose fault was that?" Though it was more of a mumble than anything else since they were still surrounded by people. The statement still caused laughter though, because Shinji was standing close enough to hear, and he suddenly glomped onto the unsuspecting substitute.

"Aww, our little Ichi is all grown up and having a baby." The very flamboyant man gushed, doing his best to embarrass the Hell out of Ichigo; it was Shinji's specialty. "How long have you been with this brute?" Now he was eyeing Kenpachi from where he was still attached to Ichigo like a limpet.

When a few experimental shoves didn't budge the Squad Five Captain, Ichigo resigned himself to being Shinji's plaything until he got bored. Though the question did have him wondering just how many people he could shock in the room at once. "…Since I was seventeen." He answered slyly.

Laughter, full on hearty belly laughs, came from Shunsui as the words sunk in to the gathered Captains. "Well that explains a lot." He managed to say between bursts of laughter. "Hey Jyuushiro, pay up!" He called over to his old friend.

A resigned chuckle, and the sound of tinkling coins as a small pouch was thrown and caught between the two well respected Captains. "Wait a second Shunsui, you won that bet, but I seem to recall a separate one that I have just beaten you at." Jyuushiro reminded, and the pouch was returned, a satisfied smile on the Squad Thirteen Captain.

Ichigo watched the exchange with wide eyes, "Do I want to know?"

"What? We get bored, and we have to keep our observation skills sharp as Captains." Shunsui explained. "The first bet was whether or not you would be with a male or a female. I won that one. The second was how long you would be able to hide a relationship with a Shinigami from us, I bet a month or less, Jyuushiro bet a year or more, he won that one."

"Shunsui, Jyuushiro, aren't you forgetting something?" A third voice called, making the two Captain's addressed twitch slightly, and both tossed a pouch in the direction of the interruption.

Retsu Unohana reached out and caught them, her trademark serene smile still on her face.

"Okay, what bet was that?" Ichigo was close to morbidly curious now.

Jyuushiro shook his head, "One we should have known better than to make. A year ago she made a bet with us that you were already in a relationship, with Captain Zaraki."

That made both Ichigo and Kenpachi turn to her, "How did you know?" Ichigo asked, beating his lover to the question.

"All of the times you showed up in the Seireitei, and he chased you down, I occasionally had to heal him, but never you. That kind of challenge? Well it was a pretty safe bet." She left it delicately phrased, but the others got her meaning.

Kenpachi was never beaten until Ichigo came around, and now every time Ichigo wandered into Soul Society, he found himself eating dirt. When Ichigo got his power back, he had stopped denying the thrill of the fight, and had allowed the spars with Kenpachi.

That very first fight, after only ten days of training with Zangetsu, he fought Kenpachi to a tie. After everything that happened to him, he could outright beat him. Yet, Ichigo still liked fighting him, because even when he won, there was still a battle. Blood, and sweat, pain, muscle, oh god, he felt so alive fighting Kenpachi. Sometimes he didn't want to use all the power he had gained, he just wanted Zangetsu, him, and an opponent. Hell, occasionally Kenpachi and him threw down their swords and fought hand to hand, fists, feet, wrestling in the dirt.

Even Ichigo couldn't tell you when their spars starting evolving from battle to a different kind of release. All he knew was, battle and sex, dear Kami Kenpachi was everywhere. Kenpachi wasn't asking him to surrender his strength, Ichigo's power is what drew him, what he wanted was trust. That attitude right there is what brought them to this situation of Ichigo coming to Yamamoto in a bit of a bind, Kenpachi's son planted in his belly.

At Retsu's words, Ichigo dropped his hand to his son again, smiling, "Yeah, when you put it like that, this isn't real shocking."

Yamamoto slammed his staff on the ground loudly to regain order, "We have business to finish here. You will have time to socialize once we get it out of the way."

Ichigo turned back to him with a muttered, "Sorry."

"With the information we now have, you will be housed with Squad Eleven. Captain Zaraki, I expect you to make sure your subordinates treat Kurosaki and your son with care while he is there." Yamamoto ordered.

"No one will lay a hand on them," Kenpachi growled, "If I don't beat them into the ground, Ichigo will."

Ichigo was glad Kenpachi, despite the earlier teasing about being called mother, had such easy confidence in him he made off hand comments about his strength like most people noticed the weather. The first few times he submitted to him, Ichigo had been afraid the warrior would start seeing him as weak, but if anything, he only seemed to look at him as stronger.

Ichigo couldn't stop the small laugh, "Plus they are terrified of Yachiru and she likes me. You don't have to worry about us at the Eleventh." Then something hit him, "I wonder how she is going to like being a big sister?"

"You kiddin? She is gonna have our boy stealin' her cookies by the time he's three." Kenpachi laughed. "Better give him extra."

Ichigo smiled widely at the thought, "I don't think that is going to be a problem."

"Captain Zaraki, please take Substitute Kurosaki to get him settled in while the rest of us finalize the arrangements for his stay here. Nothing will change without your knowledge Kurosaki." He assured Ichigo, getting a nod of understanding. "Also, it will be your choice who to tell about why you are staying here until it becomes obvious. I will not take that right from you, though I do suggest telling a few of the higher seats in the Eleventh for safety reasons."

"Ikkaku and Yumichika are friends of mine, third and fifth seats, so it won't be a problem." Ichigo verbally agreed with the suggestion.

"Then the two of you are excused," Yamamoto dismissed.

With that Kenpachi and Ichigo left the Captains meeting, glad to be out of there. Ichigo was not expecting the reaction from Kenpachi as soon as they were out of sight. He was picked up and spun around, the Captain's powerful arms going around him firmly, Ichigo wrapping his legs around Kenpachi reflexively digging his hands into his shoulders. Kenpachi's mouth was devouring his, what they were doing was so intense the word 'kiss' did not do it justice.

Only when the need for air had their lungs ready to burst did they break apart, and Kenpachi's gravely voice assaulted Ichigo, "A son, you're giving me a son."

Ichigo was panting from lack of air, and the closeness of the man who would always leave him breathless, "You gave him to me." He replied.

"Ours." The word was heavy, and possessive, the way some men say the word mine.

"Yes, ours," Ichigo's tone was the same as Kenpachi.

"What you said in there, you know I ain't good with words. Mushy ones even worse." Kenpachi started. "You're mine, but you ain't no possession. You're like fucking fire. You keep burning, and sparking, and I want that damn heat. I don't own you, cause I'd rather have you wild. Our boy is going to be the toughest little flame in the Seireitei."

"Kenpachi, let's go home," Ichigo's voice was strained, because he was trying desperately to hold back the moan. Not good with words? Bullshit.

Instead of putting him down, Kenpachi adjusted his hold so Ichigo was settled a little more comfortably, and was off towards the Eleventh. He didn't use Flash Step, but he was moving fast enough you might have thought he was, so it didn't take long.

When the Squad members saw their Captain breeze past, at first they attempted to spring to attention, but when Ikkaku and Yumichika noticed orange hair pressed against his broad shoulder, they just turned to each other and smirked a bit.

Some idiot was not smart enough to be discreet, "Was that… Ichigo?"

He soon found himself with Hozukimaru run through some rather sensitive parts of his anatomy.

Kenpachi had made it to his room, kicking the door open, and then slamming it shut behind him. Ichigo felt his back hit the futon laid on the ground, and his mouth was being devoured again, even as his body was covered by the much larger man. He finally allowed himself to moan as he was coated in the heavy musky spiritual pressure he craved. He responded by releasing his own, knowing it drove Kenpachi wild to feel his unrestrained power licking his skin.

There was a sharp intake of breath, followed by a groan so deep and feral, it was damn near a growl, Ichigo fucking loved that sound. Then those gigantic hands were on him, not fumbling or unsure like some immature guy would do, this was a man who knew exactly what he was doing, and he was stripping Ichigo. The fabric submitting to the removal quickly and easily, as if knowing if it did not obey it would simply be ripped away. Before he could get too far though, Ichigo was leaning up hungrily, demanding further contact, it had been too long since he had been with his lover.

That was okay, Kenpachi could remove his clothing and satisfy that hunger all at once. He wanted his wild devil to do as he pleased, it was what made Ichigo the perfect person for him, the only one he wanted so badly it fucking hurt.

Oxygen, that was once again the only thing forcing them apart, Ichigo had to fall back against the padded mat; panting. Kenpachi couldn't believe the sight he made. He was now completely bare thanks to Kenpachi, torso heaving, lips bruised, eyes glazed, and his hair was a riot of color and mess. There, right there, below his ribs, above his hips, was their son. No fabric obscured the view of taunt skin, and firm muscle. Damn, was this what he had done?

Hands went possessively over the developing child, and his mouth descended once more onto Ichigo's. The younger man rose up to meet him, he never stayed in a position of submission long, "I hope you don't have plans later." He used the growling tone that drove his partner crazy with lust.

Ichigo's eyes darkened, "Why?"

"Because you are not going to be able to walk." There was that manic grin back again, and he was reaching for the oil kept by his bed for Ichigo's visits.

Kenpachi quickly but thoroughly prepared him, Ichigo was pregnant he was certainly not going to risk hurting him now. When he thrust inside his lover, there was a wonderful cry of pleasure from Ichigo. After three years, they knew the places that made their partner sing.

Ichigo was not a placid lover. He gripped, and bucked, bit, and scraped his nails along Kenpachi's back. Exactly the things that made Kenpachi respond by going harder and faster. Nothing about it was rushed, but they were not the type to enjoy gentle loving, they had sex like they fought, impassioned and fiery.

As they continued and it got closer and closer to the edge, their Spiritual Pressures grew. The power weighing the air down heavily, but it only added fuel to the two's passion. The heat between them burned hot and powerful. It always had, since the first time they had clashed, even if it took a few years before it had come to the point of love.

When they did lose it, Ichigo cried out Kenpachi's name, while he growled out Ichigo's.

Kenpachi easily reversed their positions, so that Ichigo's lighter body was sprawled across his massive one, but Kenpachi's hands were back over the baby. "I ain't done with yah, but rest a bit. Our boy needs it."

Ichigo didn't respond, because he was already asleep, between Kenpachi's power covering him, and his hands covering their son, he couldn't feel safer. Sleep had come easily.

Every time Ichigo woke up, they shared food, sex, he slept a bit more, and they did it all over again. By the time night rolled around, they both wound up falling into a deep slumber in a sated heap. They both had stamina, but even they had their limits.

The next morning, they added a shower to the mix, which felt very good after the previous day's activity. Then they finally wandered out of Kenpachi's bedroom to face the Squad.

To no one's surprise, the first to greet them was Yachiru, hopping up on Kenpachi's shoulder in her usual spot, "Kenny! Ichi! You're back! Were you sick? I wanted to check on you, but Feathers wouldn't let me!" She was obviously hyper, and her pouting face looked briefly toward a guilty looking Yumichika, who had probably bribed the Lieutenant with sugar to keep her away from Kenpachi and Ichigo.

"Yachiru, what did I tell yah about staying out of my bedroom when Ichigo is here?" Kenpachi chastised.

She looked up with an angelic expression that neither Kenpachi or Ichigo bought for any length of time, "But you were gone forever!"

"Ichigo had something tah tell me." Kenpachi responded with his wide grin in place.

"What's going on Captain?" This was Ikkaku, who realized his Captain and Ichigo must have some kind of announcement if they were willing to bait Yachiru like that, everyone knew she couldn't keep a secret to save her soul. Well more precisely, she wouldn't keep it.

"He's gonna be stayin' with us for awhile," Kenpachi responded, deciding it was Ichigo's decision to tell them why.

At the looks of obvious curiosity and confusion, Ichigo smirked at Ikkaku, before turning to Yachiru, "How would you like to have a little brother?"

Her eyes lit up with stars, "Brother!?" She jumped down from Kenpachi's shoulder, running over to Ichigo, bouncing in place in front of him.

He knelt down and put her hand on his stomach, "You're going to be a big sister in a couple months."

"Kenny! Kenny! Ichi's gonna have a baby!" Yachiru squealed.

Kenpachi pitched his head back and laughed, "Yachiru, the baby's mine." That was all he could manage to say between his guffaws.

They heard the sound of metal hitting gravel, and turned to see several Squad members had dropped their Zanpakuto in shock at the statement.

Ichigo straightened up putting his hand out for Yachiru to take, shaking his head, "Really guys? Shock is one thing, but dropping your swords? Isn't that a little cliché?"

Next thing he knew, two sets of arms were draped across him, the one carefully avoiding Yachiru. Looking to the side, he saw Ikkaku on his right, and Yumichika on the left, "Well Ichigo, we kind of suspected you and the Captain had something, but way to go on the kid." That was Ikkaku.

"I heard correctly didn't I, a boy? That's probably a good thing for around here, if you gave the Captain another daughter the Seireitei may not survive; it's hard enough with him just having the Lieutenant." Yumichika commented.

Ichigo couldn't stop the smile and laugh as some of the first friends he had made in the Soul Society congratulated him on his baby. "Yeah, we're going to have a boy. Captain Unohana already mentioned adding a few extra beds to her healing rooms just incase."

Yumichika leaned in closer to Ichigo's ear, "I have a surprise for Ikkaku too." It was a very quiet statement, spoken only because Ikkaku was laughing loudly and ribbing Kenpachi at that moment.

Ichigo looked at him with a raised eyebrow, and he got a happy nod in response. "Talk later?" He responded just as quietly, getting another nod.

"Hey Ichi!" Yachiru interrupted, and Ichigo turned his attention back to her.

"What is it Yachiru?" He asked.

"Well, you said I was going to be a big sister, so does that make Kenny my daddy, and you my mommy?" The puzzled question was hopeful, and she didn't quite understand why half the training arena burst into loud laughter; Kenpachi laughing loudest.

Ichigo massaged his temples attempting to will away the headache, "Ah no, Yachiru, you can call him father and me dad if you'd like though."

There was a great big pout on her face, her eyes glistening with just the right amount of tears, "But…But…But, I never had a mommy Ichi. Please be my mommy? You're having a baby right? So really you could be my mommy too?" There was a masterful sniff at the end.

"GAHHH! All right!" Ichigo finally caved, not able to resist. "But only you!" He rounded on Kenpachi. "Don't you even think about it! Only the kids get to call me that, got it?"

"Clear as crystal," Kenpachi was still grinning suspiciously. Ichigo turned slowly back to Yachiru to receive a happy hug, but of course, Kenpachi couldn't resist adding on to his statement, "…Mommy."

A/N2 The technical aspects of how mpreg works, as well as a few flashbacks of how Ichigo found out and what happened when he told his friends/family will be coming in future chapters. I just wanted a humorous, get right to the fun bits of the story, first chapter. I hope you enjoyed it! Oh and just to clarify, Ichigo will not be the only pregnant male in this story, so it's not unusual for men to have a baby in the Soul Society, hence why no one was freaking out in the Captains' meeting.