Cherry Blossom and the Strawberry

By Spunky0ne

(I was asked by The Keeper of Celestial Keys to consider a story that parallels 'I Won't Say I Love You' but has Ichigo as the one who has to carry the children. I think it's a great idea, so I'm giving it a whirl. This story has the same general premise as the other, but it will not be the same story, as in, Ichigo being the bearer will change the dynamic of the story. It will lead in fresh directions and give us a new playground to explore. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for reading, love Spunky)

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Ichigo's defeat of Juha Bach earns the Shiba clan a chance to redeem its status among the great noble clans, but to prove his dedication, he must submit to an arranged marriage. Desperate to prove his commitment to protecting and restoring Soul Society, Ichigo accepts Kuchiki Byakuya's hand in marriage and is tasked with carrying the two clan's heirs. But he finds the heart of this cherry blossom to be difficult to capture.

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Chapter 1: Redemption

"Shiba Ichigo," the deep voice of the Grand Councilor of the Noble's General Council boomed, "Come forward."

Ichigo swallowed hard, at once thankful that the heavy bonds on his wrists were being removed, but his heart pounding at what was likely to happen next. Yet even though he was afraid, he stepped forward, holding his head high. Out of the corner of one golden brown eye, he saw a pale faced Rukia standing at the side of her elder brother and not daring to look directly at the Shinigami Substitute as he passed her. Byakuya's dark grey eyes observed him quietly and respectfully as he passed. He was careful not to look at the many others that were present. He knew very well how close the council had come to sentencing him to a lengthy stay in the Central 46 prison. He stopped as he reached the center of the chamber, and looked up silently at the Grand Councilor.

"Shiba Ichigo," the man went on sternly, "You have been summoned before this council to answer charges regarding your actions towards the late king of souls, Reiou. All of us here are aware that you are responsible for ending the threat of Juha Bach. But we have also been made aware of the following facts. First, this council has learned that you were born out of the quincy, Kurosaki Masaki by the shinigami, Shiba Isshin, former taichou of the tenth division of the Gotei 13. This makes you half-quincy, and a subject of Juha Bach, yourself. While the council has ruled that simply being a quincy or having quincy blood does not make you an enemy of Soul Society, we must consider the whole of your actions in judging you. This is a difficult task, as you did defeat our enemy, paving the way for the crowning of the new incarnation of the soul king, yet at the same time, it was your own hand that ended the life and reign of Reiou. You are now given leave to offer your personal testimony about these events. What do you have to say to this council?"

Ichigo's mind went back to the day before, when Byakuya had come to see him, where he had been confined in a council holding cell.

"You will be given a chance to tell your side of the story, and I suggest that you remember to be completely respectful and to keep your composure as you address them, Ichigo. The councilors are all members of highest status from the clans and they will be passing sentence upon you. Answer their questions honestly and endeavor to focus their attention on your commitment to protect and defend Soul Society. Your actions thus far show that you are an ally. You were used by Bach against the king, but it was not a willing choice for you to end Reiou's life."

Ichigo took a slow breath to steady himself, then, continuing to keep Byakuya in his field of vision out of the corner of one eye, he began his statement.

"About the finding that I am the son of Kurosaki Masaki and Shiba Isshin, that is completely true," Ichigo admitted, "I learned of this after the first quincy attack, while I was receiving assistance from squad zero, specifically Oetsu. He said that to remake my zanpakutou and to become a full shinigami, I must know about my own past. He confirmed what Juha Bach had hinted at when I confronted him after the opening battle...that my mother was a quincy."

"And you had no prior knowledge or suggestion that this connection between the quincy king and you existed."

"No, none."

"Very well. Go on," the Grand Councilor invited him.

"When I confronted Juha Bach in the royal palace, he told me that my quincy blood could not stand for a lie such as the soul king to exist. I didn't know what he meant when he said that, and I know I had no feelings against the king. Bach had already stabbed his sword through the king, when I tried to pull it out, and instead, my hand moved and slashed the king in half."

"But you say that you felt no animosity towards the king?"

"None."

"You did not feel anger or a desire to hurt or kill him."

"No."

"And to clarify, you were touching the enemy's weapon during the exchange?"

"Yes, I was pulling it out of the king's body."

"Will you tell us, in the final battle, what enabled you to defeat the quincy king?" the Grand Councilor asked.

"Bach had absorbed the soul king and Mimihagi, who had possessed Ukitake taichou. He also tried to possess and absorb my friend, Uryu, whom he had named his successor. But he never meant that Uryu, himself, would rule. He always intended to devour Uryu's soul and steal his younger body. My rescue group and I were able to protect Uryu, so that Bach couldn't enter his body. I struck him with a release from my reforged Zangetsu, and it forced Bach to accept fully the terms related to him absorbing the king and the king's right arm. Mimihagi claimed the right to everything but his transcendent vision. And what Bach saw, at that point, was that he would die at my hands. I struck the final blow and ended his life."

"And what would you say is the reason that you did all you did? What made you seek out Juha Bach and, in the end, kill him?"

Ichigo paled at the question, his mind going back to his arrival in Soul Society after the opening battle. He couldn't help but notice suddenly that Byakuya's eyes had nearly closed and he looked paler as well.

Don't worry, Byakuya. I would never reveal something so personal as what passed between us that day. That's between you and me.

"I wanted to protect my friends and family," Ichigo said solemnly.

"Your friends and family?" the Grand Councilor repeated, "And who are they?"

"I wanted to protect my father and sisters, of course. And I did care about what happened to Chad, Orihime, Uryu and my other living world friends."

"You are aware that they were not in danger, except as they involved themselves in the war?"

"They wanted to protect our friends in Soul Society, just like I did," Ichigo explained, "All of us out there fighting...me, the hollows Grimmjow and Nel, the fullbringers, Yoruichi-san and Urahara-san, even some of Juha Bach's own abandoned officers, in the end...we all knew that we couldn't let him destroy everything. We had to do all we could to stop him, for the sake of all our worlds. For all the people I care about, I had to do this. For all the people I mentioned already, and for my shinigami friends, most especially, Rukia, Renji and Byakuya, whom I've gotten close to."

The Grand Councilor paused and examined the notes in front of him.

"Shiba Ichigo, in full knowledge of who you are and knowing the history of your mother's family and your father's fallen clan, what is it that you want from this council?"

Ichigo hesitated, allowing the question to radiate in his mind before he answered.

"I want you to know that I am completely committed to the protection of Soul Society," Ichigo insisted, "I care about the balance between the worlds and the souls that live in them. If anything threatens them, I want to stop it, whatever or whoever it is. I was granted great powers and I want to use them to protect the people I care about."

"And will you submit to the will of this council in deciding your fate?" the Grand Councilor asked.

Ichigo held his breath for a moment, a small shiver going through him.

"I will."

"Very well. Thank you for your testimony. You may be seated and the council will adjourn to our private chamber to consider your testimony.

Ichigo carefully showed no reaction, but sat down quietly and waited as the councilors exited the room. Soft voices rose up around him, but all within the room remained in their seats and Ichigo carefully avoided looking at his three closest shinigami friends. He sighed as he mulled over the last several days he had spent locked up in the Central 46 holding facility.

I wasn't mistreated, but it was scary, sitting there and wondering if they would ever let me go. I'm still scared, but...

He picked up a view of Byakuya from his peripheral vision. The clan leader continued to glance at him occasionally with a calm, veiled expression.

Then, Byakuya showed up to talk to me.

He replayed their conversation in his mind.

"What do you think they'll do to me?" he asked worriedly.

"They will ask you to testify and you should answer them in full honesty, Ichigo. Your fate rests in their hands and you want to convey that you are as committed to protecting Soul Society as any of them are. You have proven to us that you are, but the council was not there through your struggles. They don't know how committed you are. Through your testimony and your behavior during your trial, you must convince them."

Ichigo sighed and rested his face in his hands, taking respite in the darkness and trying to shut out the soft rush of whispered voices.

It'd be easy to go kinda crazy like this, he mused inwardly, Those guys are all nobles, rich and powerful. They're not my friends and they have no reason to just decide in my favor. And that I saved Soul Society may or may not be enough to make them put aside what Bach used me to do. We'll have to see. I don't have control over this. It's in other hands.

But I'm not alone.

Rukia, Renji, Byakuya, Dad, Kisuke, Yoruichi...my living world friends, they're all here to be with me. That means everything to me. I may or may not win today. I may or may not be released, but it really means something to have them all here. I'm grateful for that.

He focused for a moment on the seats that the council had vacated.

Whatever happens, they'll be there for me.

A faint smile touched his lips for a moment as he remembered a warm moment between Byakuya and himself, just after their victory.

"Ichigo," Byakuya said softly, keeping a hand pressed to the bleeding wound on his side, "I am grateful to you. My faith in you was well placed when I asked you to protect Soul Society."

Ichigo blushed.

"Hey, I care about what happens to my shinigami friends...to all of my friends...to you, Byakuya."

A flutter went through his insides at the look of genuine approval and gratitude Byakuya gave him.

"Again, I thank you for doing what none of us could," the clan leader continued, "You are always welcome in my home."

He chuckled to himself, remembering all of the times the stoic noble had hosted him at Kuchiki Manor after his battles, then admonished him to go back to the living world as soon as he was on his feet again.

He didn't do that this time.

He stole another glance at Byakuya and felt a guilty twinge at seeing that he had an arm around Rukia's shoulders and that his sister was crying silently.

It's good to see the way he takes care of her now. Byakuya's a good brother to her...just what she needs to help her through if I'm...

He stopped the thought forcibly and refocused on the empty seats in front of them. He kept his thoughts carefully directed away from worrying about what would happen. But his internal resolve was nearly shattered as the council doors opened and the councilors filed back in and took their seats. The Grand Councilor motioned for him to stand.

"Shiba Ichigo, the Noble's General Council has considered the testimony you have given us, and we have made the following decisions. First, we have agreed that you are committed, as you said, to Soul Society's protection. We remain concerned that with your powers, you could be used against us again, but having overcome Bach's manipulations, you have convinced us that it is not necessary to keep you confined away from our society. However, we have considered your connection to the fallen Shiba clan as well. We agree that the Shiba family acted in good faith to protect all of us as well. In so doing, they have earned the chance to once again take their place among us."

"Y-you mean, you're going to reinstate my clan?" Ichigo asked, blinking.

"Yes," the Grand Councilor answered, "we have decided that, with a prescribed act of submission and commitment, you can convince this council to rescind the Shiba clan's banishment and to allow them to reclaim their place as a fifth great clan."

"That's great!" Ichigo said in a pleased tone, "But, uh...what do I have to do?"

"It is a tradition within the clans to show one's commitment and submission to our ways, by accepting council arrangement of a marriage," the Grand Councilor stated.

Ichigo did an immediate doubletake.

"What?" he gasped, "I have to...?"

"You must allow us to choose a spouse for you."

Ichigo's face paled and he looked at his father, who returned his gaze guardedly, indicating that he was expected to accept.

"You can't be serious..."

"The council is aware that you were raised in the living world and that this isn't your way, but we believe that, if you are committed to seeing your family rise out of disgrace, you will agree to the marriage and do your best to make it a successful one."

"Successful how? In making babies?" Ichigo asked, barely keeping his anger in check, "Do you guy's know I'm..."

"You are of legal marrying age here in Soul Society and in the living world," the Grand Councilor asserted, "and you say that you want to make things right. Juha Bach was a relative of yours."

"Sort of," Ichigo said hesitantly.

"And because of him, we lost our king and thousands of shinigami soldiers. Your own hand has slain the king. We could incarcerate you for that, or even execute you. We have no obligation to give your clan another chance. We are only doing this because you have committed yourself to protecting us. And part of that is ensuring that your powers are carried on in our noble houses so that you can continue to protect Soul Society for your lifetime and beyond."

Ichigo went silent, staring fixedly down at his hands and shaking very softly.

"It may interest you to know and perhaps it will help your decision to hear that only one clan has offered a spouse for you."

"Which clan?" Ichigo asked, frowning.

"The Kuchiki clan has offered to provide your spouse."

Ichigo caught his breath softly.

"You are lucky to have this chance at full redemption," the Grand Councilor said sternly.

"Yeah," Ichigo said with a measure of increased confidence, "I know that, and I am grateful, as is my family."

Thanks Byakuya. I should have known that even if the others were against me, you would take my side. We may have been enemies once, but you are a good, loyal friend. And now, you're offering me your own sister to give me and my clan this chance, aren't you?

"Shiba Ichigo, will you accept the Kuchiki clan's offer of an arranged marriage?"

Ichigo took several slow breaths.

"Y-yeah. Yeah, okay, if it will help my family...and if it will convince you all once and for all that I have only good intentions towards Soul Society."

"Very well, then pending your marriage to the Kuchiki clan's offered spouse and the birth of your first child, all charges will be considered dropped and you will be free."

"Thank you," Ichigo said, breathing a relieved sigh, "Thanks a lot."

"You should express your gratitude to Kuchiki Byakuya," the Grand Councilor said firmly, "After all, if he had not offered to take your hand, himself, your clan would have been disgraced for all eternity."

"Well, that's just the way he..."

Ichigo froze, mid-sentence.

"Wh-what? What was that you said?" he asked numbly.

"I said that you should be grateful to Kuchiki Byakuya for marrying you and giving your clan back their honor."

"I have to marry Byakuya?" Ichigo repeated, "But, wait a minute, how is that gonna work? I thought you guys said that I had to make a baby! We're two guys!"

The Grand Councilor gazed down at him through calm, serious eyes.

"Did you not know?" he asked, "Noble males have the ability to bear young. You are a noble male, as is Kuchiki Byakuya. You can have children together. He will explain the particulars later."

"The particulars!" Ichigo exclaimed, "Those are some pretty damned big particulars! I can't marry a guy! And...and who is going to have the baby, anyway?"

The Grand Councilor gave him a soft look of reproach.

"It is your family that is charged with proving their commitment to recovering their name and honor, therefore, Shiba Ichigo, you will be carrying the Kuchiki and Shiba heirs!"

"WHAT THE HELL?"