Surrender

Shadow of an Echo

Chapter Eight

Home

It was official, Ichigo had reached the point he couldn't get off the floor by himself. Sitting on the porch chatting with Yumichika had become a much different experience now that he needed to keep a railing handy to pull himself up, or stoop to asking for help from a laughing Kenpachi.

And people wondered why the Captain always seemed to be sporting a fresh injury, typically a black eye.

Since straightening out Kenpachi's potential meltdown their relationship had relaxed back into what it had been before. Except now Kenpachi was aware of what they had going for them. Which incidentally made him push his squad members even harder, wanting to have something he was proud of for his son to grow up around. He would put the fear of god into those men, and if he had his way the entire squad would be guardians for his boy.

Right now Ichigo was visiting the Visoreds usual hangout though today it was just Shinji and him, but the nice visit was occasionally commandeered by his son's little foot or fist jabbing him. He was kicking hard now, seven months in and he was growing stronger. If Ichigo rubbed his hand over the spot the baby would calm down for a little bit, but he would be right back at it soon after.

"Looks like he's beating you up a lot today," Shinji noticed. He had calmed down a bit about the situation since Ichigo had been coming to visit them pretty often. He didn't miss a chance to bring up the baby though, and Ichigo was beginning to get suspicious of him; that was a lot of interest for someone to have when they didn't have a personal reason for it. As in maybe the hyperactive Visored was considering putting himself into a similar situation.

"Yeah he is, hasn't given me much of a break for the last few days," Ichigo admitted. "Kenpachi loves it, I didn't think his ego could get any bigger, turns out I was wrong." This was said with no small amount of exacerbation, but there was a lot of fondness too.

Shinji laughed brightly, "Of course he likes it, you're giving him a tough little boy, can't blame him for enjoying the proof of that."

"Oh don't get me wrong, while I wouldn't mind being able to sleep uninterrupted I'm happy he's strong enough to move around so much. I can't see him for two more months, at least I can feel him and know he's safe." Ichigo explained.

"Wouldn't expect anything different from the person obsessed with protecting people. I doubt you've ever had anything you wanted to protect more." Shinji observed.

"For now that's true, dad and the twins are capable of protecting each other, and Kenpachi has never really needed my protection and he can handle Yachiru for us. The baby is the most vulnerable person in my life right now, so yes I'm going to be more protective over him. My family will always be the source of my strength though and I will protect all of them with my last breath." His son was going to be a very large part of his family, but that didn't mean he would protect the others less than he always had.

Ichigo's thoughts were interrupted by a kick to the diaphragm, momentarily taking his breath away. "Okay that one hurt," Ichigo admitted when Shinji looked at him in concern.

"What do you expect from Kenpachi's son?" Shinji asked with a laugh. "And you're not exactly an easy target." He added on realizing Kenpachi's strength wasn't the only reason the baby was so strong.

"I know, didn't expect any less." Ichigo admitted. "Unfortunately, as much as I enjoyed this I have to go. I have an appointment with Retsu." He remembered.

"Go take care of yourself." Shinji urged, "I want you and that kid healthy."

"Something tells me he's fine," Ichigo assured when he felt another hit to his insides.

Shinji smiled, "I figured as much, but doesn't hurt to check."

"No it doesn't," Ichigo agreed. "So that's where I'm going to leave you." And he walked away with a wave.

Retsu was as serene as always while leading him back to the usual exam room. "Ichigo, is there anything I should know about? How has he been lately?"

"He's kicking me all the time, nothing else I can think of." Ichigo reported dutifully.

"That's a good thing, there is no such thing as moving too much when it comes to babies." She responded approvingly as the now familiar soft blue glow of kido covered her hands, ready to scan the baby only to be interrupted by a question from Ichigo.

"I have something I'd like to ask you?" He approached the topic slowly, waiting for Retsu to nod in agreement. "Is it okay if I don't have the baby here? I want him to come somewhere I feel safe and comfortable, and this is a place for those who are sick or in pain. I don't want him in that if he doesn't have to be." He requested slowly, having been thinking it for a while.

She didn't need to take long to consider it, "I think that would be fine, you and him have been healthy and strong all through this, as long as it stays that way there shouldn't be a problem having him somewhere outside my healing units. I would still like to be there though, if nothing else to support you."

"I do want you there," He assured, "That isn't at all why I don't want to come here. I would feel a lot better if you were around even if everything does go well. I still don't have a clue what I'm doing."

"Thank you, but just so you know I think you and Kenpachi could handle it just fine if you have to. I know it seems weird to you because it isn't true in the living world for males, but this is a very natural process and if you and the baby are healthy there really isn't too much that can go wrong." She truly believed that, the two of them would be fine if something happened and she couldn't get there on time. "Now let me check on him, like I said everything has been going really well, I don't think anything is going to mess with that at this point."

"Go ahead," He allowed, dutifully relaxing back onto the exam table giving her open access to his belly full of baby.

Once again she coated her hands in the softly glowing Kido, "His core is growing swiftly, he is definitely going to be a very strong child," She reported as she analyzed what the scan was telling her. "Now this isn't a bad thing, and won't affect what I already told you about having him at home, but I suspect he may arrive a bit early. He is developing rapidly, your strength has something to do with that, but it means he will be fully matured sooner than other children." She informed with a small smile, something that Ichigo definitely needed to see as it reassured him a bit that things weren't as bad as he feared. Much like when his dad was checking on him that first time she would be a lot more serious if something was truly wrong and the explanation she followed the initial revelation with also did a world of good. "Shinigami children are formed with the aide of Spiritual Pressure, the more of it they get the higher their potential is both for stronger power levels and excelled maturity rates. Early births are not uncommon for powerful parents." The explanation was something she gave without prompting, seeing the panicked look on Ichigo's face at hearing the baby would likely be early.

"So he's going to be okay?" Ichigo had to double check, and his hand was clutching his stomach out of fear and protectiveness.

Retsu nodded reassuringly, "Yes Ichigo, he is going to be fine. If he comes early it's because he is ready. The fact it's a possibility, under these circumstances, just proves how healthy he really is."

Ichigo slowly relaxed as he listened to her soothing words, but another question came to mind, "How early?"

"This is an estimate," She warned, "But from how strong he is now I would expect him to arrive between your 36th and 38th week. That isn't too horribly early, but it's enough to warn you so you can be prepared and know he is just fine."

"I appreciate the warning." Ichigo was under no delusions that without knowing it was okay he would have panicked if the baby started coming too soon.

Retsu had to laugh a bit at that, "You are not the first powerful person I have guided through having a child. Some things are second nature to explain when dealing with something this sensitive. Your baby will be just fine but I understand the fear of the unknown."

"Anything else I should know?" That was pretty big news he hoped it was the only surprise to come out of this checkup.

"No. You are both very healthy, there isn't anything to worry about beyond what you two want to name him." She reassured again with a soft smile.

That effectively took his mind off his worries for a moment, just like Retsu had hoped. Getting too worked up wasn't good for him, but she had to tell him. That was not something she wanted to leave as a surprise.

Ichigo left the appointment with his thoughts swirling. He was slowly calming down from his shock, and the copious amount of reassurance Retsu had given had him believing her that his son was going to be fine. The second thing she brought up gave him almost as much anxiety.

Kenpachi and him hadn't talked about names at all. Now it sounded like they wouldn't be getting as much time to decide as Ichigo thought they would.

He hunted down his lover, which admittedly wasn't hard since the Captain was in his usual spot of beating up his squad members in the training yard, instead of interrupting Ichigo carefully sat at the end of the porch and watched Kenpachi do his job.

The both of them were not blind to the common opinion that Kenpachi was nothing but a brute and his ability to hold the Captain position was often called into question by those not in the higher ranks. They knew better though, Kenpachi knew exactly what he was doing. The type of warriors his squad attracted would not be content with formal, stuffy, or passive approaches. They were people who wanted to fight with all their hearts, a good battle heating up their blood and making them feel alive. They needed a Captain who both understood the feeling and could match or surpass the desire for himself.

Even before the relationship was revealed the squad was fostering a growing respect for Ichigo as well. He fought just like they did, he might be very pure in his intentions when he drew Zangetsu, but that didn't prevent him from fighting like a demon possessed when the situation called for it. They had all witnessed him letting loose at least once and especially if he was against Kenpachi it was a spectacular sight to behold.

Now Ichigo was content in watching Kenpachi earn his spot, many times over. His method was unorthodox but it worked and he was undeniably good at it, it helped that he was definitely far smarter than most would suspect. He didn't need a noble's education to figure people out, the lessons the street had to teach him were just as good, or better, than what could be found in any academy course.

He had his hand resting over his baby with his eyes closed in a light dose against the wall of their barracks when he felt a large presence coming near him, and he looked up to see Kenpachi settling down next to him. "You were watching, what do you think?" He asked, trusting in Ichigo's judgment as much as his own. Ichigo learned as he fought and the only way to do that was to read people accurately and quickly.

"I think the men are getting stronger, they last a few minutes more anyway," Ichigo observed while slowly shifting over to lean against his lover, feeling a scarred hand join his own over their boy. "You've been teaching them well."

Kenpachi didn't reply right away, just sat and felt the strength of his son kicking out at him, the baby always reacting to his touch enthusiastically. "I have good reason to, he should see them at their best."

Ichigo decided to tell him what he had learned that day, wanting to have someone to help deal with the knowledge, "I saw Retsu again today, she told me that he is healthy but might come early."

"He'll be okay right?" Kenpachi asked, truly concerned and proved it as his hand tightened protectively over Ichigo's swollen abdomen.

"She assured me that he will be if it comes to that, I trust her." He explained, knowing Kenpachi would need all the reassurance he had. The brutal captain loved them and he wasn't afraid to show it. "I just wanted to warn you because I know I'm glad she said something to me."

"As long as he's safe he can come whenever he wants," Kenpachi insisted, he was excited about being a father and wanted to meet his son as soon as possible.

"I'm fine with that," Ichigo admitted, "But it does mean we should start trying to find a name for him. I kind of want to have that settled before he gets here."

"I named Yachiru after a fighter I respected, but don't know what to do for him, what did you have in mind?" Kenpachi would be willing to go along with just about anything Ichigo could come up with, he just wanted his boy healthy and strong, finally with them.

"I kind of like either Kane or Michio," He admitted, "Not sure which one I like better."

Kenpachi thought about it for a few minutes, "I wouldn't mind either, but I think I like Michio." He wasn't sure he wanted to admit he liked that one because it had 'ichi' in it, that made him feel a bit more sappy than he was completely comfortable with.

Ichigo looked down at their baby, "And what do you think? Is Michio a good name for you?" He felt a very strong purposeful kick strike out at his hand making him smile, "I'll take that as a yes."

"It hard to believe he's almost here." Kenpachi confessed, never moving his hand from over their boy.

"Oh I can believe it," Ichigo responded drily as their son happily started beating up his insides, "He's so strong now, it's hard for me not to realize it. I do want to talk to you about that though?"

"Oh? What is it?" He asked in concern.

Ichigo went quiet for a moment trying to figure out the best way to approach it before deciding just to be blunt like usual, "I talked to Retsu about having him here when he decides to come, I don't want to go to the Fourth. Retsu agreed to meet us here when it is time, she says as long as there still isn't anything wrong with the baby or me by then she doesn't have a problem with it even with figuring out he might be here a little sooner than we thought."

"If that's what you want to do I'm not going to argue about it." In the end it was Ichigo's choice where to have the baby, it would be him bringing their son into the world and if he needed something to make him more comfortable during that he wouldn't take it from him.

Ichigo leaned over to kiss him before pulling away slowly, surprising Kenpachi a bit as they usually saved physical contact for when they were alone or it was just Yachiru, "Thank you," He replied gratefully. "I want to have our son where he was made, here with you. There are just too many people I don't know coming and going at the Fourth, and I don't want him to have to deal with that before he is an hour old."

From there they fell into a comfortable silence, just soaking up each other's company before the next wave of Squad members showed up for their turn at training. Ichigo once again watching his lover go to work with a smile on his face, his hand pressed against his restlessly kicking son. Yep their little boy was a fighter just like his father and Ichigo couldn't be happier about that. His baby was strong and would only get stronger as he grew. He was so proud and happy that he felt he could burst with it.

He grew even more content when Yachiru joined him, the warm sun and his presence had her falling asleep against him practically mid-sentence and Ichigo merely put his arm around her and pulled her close. He considered this normally hyperactive little girl his child just as much as the baby squirming around inside him.

He didn't even realize he had fallen asleep again until he felt himself lifted into familiar arms, Kenpachi carrying him to their room, done for the day. He had enough presence of mind to remember he hadn't been alone when he drifted off, "Where's Yachiru?" He asked sleepily as the large Captain laid him down on their bed, not yet crawling in beside him, he wanted a shower first after a day covered in dirt and sweat from training.

"Off bugging Kuchiki, I let her go, she will probably sleep in her own room tonight," Kenpachi answered before pulling the blanket up around Ichigo and their baby, "I'll be back in a few minutes, I wanna get this grime off me."

Ichigo just nodded and let his eyes fall shut again, he had been far more tired than usual lately, giving all his strength to his son. He hadn't managed to actually fall asleep before Kenpachi was back though, the baby was awake again; he only quieted for a few hours at a time if Ichigo was lucky. He must have been in a playful mood that day because he was definitely active.

The large body coming to lay beside him was a comfort, even more so when Kenpachi dragged him up to lay his head against his own scarred chest, a strong hand rubbing circles over their boy. "You asked me before if I would still want you when you got big with him, and I do, I wasn't lying then and I'm not now." He insisted, kissing him deeply. "I know you probably don't want to do anything for a while, I know you've been tired. I just wanted you to know the truth."

"I'm not sure it's safe for him." Ichigo found himself regretting that a bit. He actually wouldn't have minded letting the Captain prove his words, but neither of them would risk their boy. That hadn't been a question he had thought to ask Retsu, with Yachiru joining them in their rooms most nights they hadn't gotten much opportunity to indulge, but despite the fact their relationship started out as highly physical they didn't seem to mind the change when it meant bringing all of them closer together. Things would change back to something more like it was after the baby was born, Ichigo believed that wholeheartedly.

More touches to his stomach came, Kenpachi meant every word he had said before and now, seeing Ichigo growing big with their strong healthy baby was making it nearly impossible to keep his hands off him. It didn't even have to be sex, Kenpachi was used to not having it from all his long years before Ichigo came into his life, but the touching would never stop. Having him to hold onto was one thing that pushed him so hard in training his men and doing everything he could to make he soon to arrive son proud to call him father. Ichigo's words from earlier came back to him, "You really want to have him here?"

"Absolutely," He insisted. "Our baby should not come in a place meant for the sick. I just have this feeling things will be so much better if it's just us together, I don't mind Retsu being here and I have to admit I kind of want dad to come, but no more. I want to handle this as a family." The kindhearted healer might as well have been a member of the family, and just as he said, as it grew closer to the baby being born he found himself wanting Isshin. His father had been there for every scraped knee and black eye he'd gotten over the years. Trying to have this baby without the unconditional love and support of his dad, no matter how crazy he could be, was hard for him to imagine.

"I'm not going to argue with you," He reiterated, "I just thought maybe we should talk about it, I think it will be good for him too, but I want the both of you safe more."

"We're going to be fine," Ichigo found himself smiling as the protective side of Kenpachi came out. He didn't reveal that often, but when he did you could see the reason Ichigo had fallen so deeply in love with him. He loved the wildness yes, but the tenderness just beneath the surface was just as alluring. He didn't do what he did in the arena out of bloodlust, it was the desire to keep his battle hungry warriors alive. Ichigo put his hand over Kenpachi's, resting on their boy, "He's strong and so am I, we can do this. I want him here and safe just as much as you. I wouldn't have asked about it if I thought he would be in danger."

"I know, I know," Kenpachi insisted. "You will do what's right by him.

"So will you," Ichigo assured. "As soon as I found out about him I couldn't wait to tell you, and when I saw your face the first time you felt him I saw the pride in your eyes. You are going to be an amazing father to our son. You love him, and he is going to adore you just as Yachiru does."

"I will never deny him, I'm just making sure he never feels like he has to deny me," Kenpachi admitted. "I grew up in gutters of blood. I didn't even have my own name until I gave myself one when I found Yachiru. I have told you before Zaraki is a place, not a name, I want our boy to have your last name so he can have a family when I didn't."

"You are his family as much as me," Ichigo corrected his thinking immediately, "Name or not he is yours and I would never take that from you even something so little as not giving him your name."

"No, I am willing to argue about this," He would normally do anything Ichigo asked of him, but this was something he wouldn't be moved on. "He needs ties to something more than just a district of battles and death. His name will be Michio Kurosaki. I won't be any less his father, but I want him to have that family name. Something that is his. Until not too long ago I didn't know what that word really meant but now that I do, it's all I want for him."

As much as Ichigo wanted to argue, he had never and would never be ashamed of where his Kenpachi had come from, but the sheer open honesty and determination had him caving. "Okay," He finally agreed. "If that is what you want for him, then that's what we'll do. Just remember he has no reason to not be proud of you, and neither do I. Your past made you who you are and that is the man I love, don't deny it any more than you would our son. It is a part of you and one worth remembering because it pushes you into keeping others from being the one ending up dead in those blood soaked gutters."

Another deep kiss between them and a quiet, "Thank you." Was the response he got and the two of them settled down to sleep, well as much as the baby would allow anyway. He would be with them soon, and neither one of them could wait to meet him.