Sorry about that, this was actually supposed to be up the last time I updated, but I guess that failed. Enjoy!

Yuzu Kurosaki hadn't been aware that she'd fallen asleep until the jolt of the vehicle moving woke her. A large hand pressed against her chest to keep her from falling forward and she blinked rapidly before glancing up to the owner of the hand to see that it was Okker. He smiled warmly at her before removing his hand. With a yawn, she rubbed her eyes and looked around, quickly seeing her uncle slumped over in the bench seat across from her with another alien next to him. She called to him, her voice full of worry, but got no answer back.

"He's asleep," the alien next to Urahara said gruffly, his thick top arms crossed over his chest while his bottom ones rested loosely at his sides.

Yuzu only nodded and folded her hands in her lap. Her mind wandered. Where were they taking her and her family? The blue alien had said that he was taking them to her brothers, but had he been telling the truth? And what about all of those other aliens around? And the town? They were obviously invading, but why? What was special about her little rural town?

A canteen appeared in her view and she jumped a little in embarrassing shock. She glanced at Okker with pink in her cheeks, but he didn't seem to care about her reaction, only smiling a bit more and urging the canteen a little closer. Yuzu took it with a quiet word of gratitude before taking a subtle sniff.

Not subtle enough as the other alien noticed. "It's water. Besides, it's not like that weak human nose of yours would be able sniff out anything we could've put into it." The words were spoken without scorn, it was only a statement of fact.

Chastised by being caught, she took a sip. "Mm!" The water was cold enough to hurt her teeth. She handed the canteen back while she rubbed her tongue against her teeth to warm them.

Silence prevailed for a long time after that.

What felt like an hour of no talking and sounds of the inhabitants shifting around a little in their seats before the other alien grunted and suddenly leaned forward. Yuzu whimpered and gasped as he grabbed her and dragged her over and into his lap. Words formed and withered in her throat as she tried to say something, anything, to the hulking male.

"Couldn't resist, could you?" Okker commented with a shake of his head.

"You know damn well that I couldn't," the male growled. "She's adorable and just looking for a cuddle." As he said those words he wrapped his four arms around her and rested his chin on her head. She squeaked when she felt his tail brush up against her thigh.

A growl sounded and she looked over at her uncle who was now awake and glaring at the alien. "Kissy-oji! Are you okay?"

He couldn't answer for the weird gag covering his mouth. Okker graciously leaned over and carefully peeled it off. The look Urahara sent Okker was a conflicted mix of gratitude, anger, and hostility before he looked back at the other alien who still hadn't deigned to introduce himself. "Who are you aliens and where are you taking us?"

Okker, as always, was rather friendly and easily offered up the information. "I am Okker Vaush and that over there is Domiir Bozdir. We're in the process of transporting you to the farm house."

The blond's face screwed up in a brief look of confusion before the knowledge Yuzu already knew dawned on him. "My nephews. What have you done to them?"

"Those two are fine," Domiir grumbled, "we wouldn't be taking you to the farmhouse if they weren't even there."

Urahara pursed his lips, but the answer seemed satisfactory to him nonetheless. "Okay. Now, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like for you to put my niece down."

Domiir grinned. "I do mind actually." He balanced the little girl on one thigh and reached an arm over towards Urahara. He moved out of the way, but not before Domiir grabbed him and dragged the blonde closer before enveloping him in a warm embrace as well. "So you'll just have to settle with joining in."

Urahara glared but remained still.

Okker was smiling. "Someone's missing his kids."

Domiir shrugged and let his head rest on the back of the seat. They remained that way for the remainder of the trip.

The vehicle lurched as it pulled to a stop and after a moment Okker made for the door. The humans shivered as cool air filled the cab from the outdoors and early morning light filtered in. Yuzu was handed off to Okker was outside and Domiir carried Urahara out over his shoulder.

"I can walk," Urahara murmured.

"Not with no shoes you can't," Domiir retorted and shifted the older man up higher on his shoulder.

Looking over, Yuzu saw Karin and her aunt being carried out of the vehicle in the same manner as she and Urahara; both of them were still tied up and gagged. As they rounded the vehicles, they came up to the blue-haired alien from before who stood on the porch of the farmhouse. Yuzu felt a mixture of hope and dread as she looked at it. Her brothers were here, but at the same time they were probably trapped and scared much like she and the others were. The blue one rattled off some orders in his native language and they answered back before they all headed into the house.

The inside of the house still looked the same much to the girl's relief except for the aliens in the kitchen who looked very different from the ones that were carrying her and her family. She gasped as they suddenly split up, the aliens with her relatives headed up the stairs while her and her sister were carried towards the basement. "Wh-What are you doing? she whimpered.

"Where are you taking them?" Urahara demanded before another gag was placed over his mouth. They didn't receive an answer.

Now the basement was very different from what she remembered. It looked like a high-tech lab. A scary high-tech lab. At the bottom of the stairs was yet another alien that looked like one of the ones that'd been in the kitchen. He murmured something to the soldiers before turning and heading to a motion-sensor glass door that definitely had never been part of the house before the aliens came along. Inside the new room was a table with what looked like a computer and a console hooked up to it. Okker carried Yuzu towards it while the one carrying Karin went to stand to the side.

Yuzu grabbed onto Okker's arm as he tried to set her down on the table. "Don't worry," he soothed. "The scientist won't harm you."

"But..." She couldn't find the words as she was made to rest on the table, and the scientist approached with what looked a little like an ebipen injector. He shot her a smile that only made her feel even more afraid.

"Don't worry," he told her. "I'm going to put you to sleep, and when you wake up, you'll remember everything."

There was a sting as he pressed the injector to her arm and she quickly fell under.

The knock on the door was expected as the Prince looked up from where he sat on his usual sofa. Not wanting to awaken his pet, he stood and went to the door to let the knocker in; it was Grimmjow of course.

The lieutenant greeted Byakuya properly before his gaze wandered to the bed where the prince's pet still reposed under the blankets, snoring softly. A wide grin spread across his features as he looked back at Byakuya. "So did you fuck him stupid like I said?"

Byakuya sighed. "Yes, I made it very difficult for him of think of what was occurring in town. He should remain asleep for some time."

To prove him wrong, however, Ichi grumbled and began to move. "Kainushi-sama?" he murmured softly.

"Go kiss him back to sleep."

Byakuya looked at the blue-haired Qitru.

Grimm shrugged. "It works with Shiro."

Shaking his head, the prince went to try it. Ichigo blinked blearily at him as the blankets were tugged away, and Byakuya wrapped his arms around the oranget. Ichi gasped as their lips touched in a passionate kiss, and moaned and weakly gripped Byakuya's sleeves as he kissed back. The kissing him back to sleep tactic didn't seem to be working.

Grimmjow drew closer. "Finger him, he should be able to take two easily."

Without breaking the kiss, Byakuya nudged Ichi's legs open and tickled his hole before pressing a finger inside as easily as Grimmjow had mentioned before finding what remained of their exhausting play inside and using it to slick the way for the next finger. Ichigo moaned and opened his legs a little wider and pressed harder into the kiss, quivering as his pleasure spot was stroked. With a gasp he threw back his head and stiffened as he came, spraying short ropes of jism before falling limp in Byakuya's arms, panting lightly.

Stealing another kiss as he set the oranget down on the bed, the prince moved away to recover a forgotten towel to clean up his fingers and Ichigo's stomach. With the human reposing once more, he tucked him back in and looked to the grinning Qitru once more.

"Let's get you to town."

The girls felt out of it as they were led from the lab and up the stairs of the home that had once been alien free. Thanks to the scientist, they now remembered everything that had happened when they visited the house a few weeks ago. For one, they had never even stepped foot in the house, let alone had seen their brothers when they visited last.

They came to a stop outside of a door that they recognized had once been to their parents' room that the boys had taken over, but it was proven to be different from what they remembered when the door was opened.

What was once old floral wallpaper with a hideous green carpet and refurbished sconces on the walls to light it, was now white walls and gray carpeting with what looked like an inlaid strip of blue light wrapping around the room to provide light. The room was a little bigger now, what with the closet seeming to be missing, and the room now held two beds; their aunt and uncle were seated on one.

"Karin! Yuzu!" they cried as they rose to their feet. The girls rushed over to them and Domiir and the other alien soldier moved out of the way to allow them passage.

Yuzu was grabbed up in her uncle's embrace and a desperate kiss pressed to her brow. Her and her sister were checked and fretted over by their aunt and uncle while the aliens quietly exchanged words before Okker and Domiir left.

"Yoru-oba, we remember," Yuzu murmured after a moment. "The aliens were here when we last came to the house, but the scientist made us forget until now."

"What?" both adults gasped in disbelief. "Are you okay? Did they do anything to you?" was their uncle's next question.

Karin was the one who answered. "No, they just kept us in the ship. And get this: there are more kids here; human kids."

"They were raised by these aliens," Yuzu continued. "And they're pets to the captain of the ship."

Yoruichi's face morphed into one of disgust. "Pets?"

"Yeah," Karin mumbled. "They weren't all bummed about it or anything though."

"That's still disgusting."

They flinched as the doors opened again letting in Okker and Domiir once more. The pair spoke to the other two alien guards before the unnamed ones nodded and left. With Yuzu feeling more comfortable around these two aliens, she found herself able to ask them a question.

"Okker… what's going to happen to us?" she asked.

Okker was more than happy to answer her question. "You're going to see your big brothers of course."

Everyone perked up at that.

"When?" Yuzu asked.

Both aliens shrugged. "Later, I suppose," Okker murmured.

"Why not now?" Karin asked with a huff.

"Because he's asleep," Okker said simply.

Karin practically vibrated as her temper spiked; it was a wonder that it hadn't happened sooner. "So what?! As if that matters! Take us to Ichigo and Shiro, now!"

Neither alien was affected by her outburst. Domiir drew closer and leaned down until he was nearly nose-to-nose with the ravenette. "Look here, girl, your tantrums will get you nowhere. This is not a place where you may make demands of us and expect us to follow them. You do not have power here. You follow our rules, and you answer to us. You will see your brothers once they are awake, which won't be for a while since their masters wore them out to keep them from worrying themselves sick over you well-being." With that, Domiir pinned Karin with one more scowl before moving away.

"Masters?" Urahara echoed.

Okker nodded. "Ichigo is owned, now, by Cerebro Prince Byakuya, and Shiro by Lieutenant Grimmjow. You'd do well to remember that."

"And don't give them guff for it either," Domiir added. "They weren't exactly given a choice in the matter."

Urahara shook his head. "Didn't plan on it."

Okker took on his friendly smile once more. "Good. Now Domiir and I will be in charge of you while you're here. Breakfast will be brought up to you in about an hour so feel free to rest until then." He walked over to a panel on the wall and pressed a button on it allowing a door to slide open. "Lavatory is through here." He pressed it again and it closed once more. "Domiir and I will be around should you need anything." With a final smile, he and Domiir headed for the door, and left them alone with their thoughts.

The chirps of the interstellar communicator were what roused Ichigo a couple hours later, and another high-pitched sound let him know that the call went through without his input. When he finally managed to roll over and look towards the projector, he saw the King smiling at him. He sat up quickly. "Your Highness!"

"Good morning, Ichigo," Sojun murmured. "Sleeping late?"

Ichi tousled his mussed orange-locks. "Yeah… wow. I don't usually sleep this long."

The king chuckled and looked around a bit. "Wash your face and eat your morning meal," he ordered after seeing the tray of covered food on the floor where the human usually sat.

"Yes, sire." Quickly rolling out of bed, the human left, returning five minutes later with his face washed and his bedhead tamed. He went behind the partition to switch out disks before setting on the floor to enjoy his still warm breakfast. He moaned as he bit into a strip of bacon. Mmm, Shawlong was getting much, much better at this. He took another bite before finally speaking. "How are you this morning?"

"I am well," Sojun said warmly. "I was wondering if you'd watch my son's speech with me."

"Speech?" he asked between more bites of food.

"The one he's giving to the people of your hometown."

Ichigo froze and let his fork drop back to the plate with a soft clank. "Oh yeah… that." How could he have almost forgotten something like that? Oh, well, what the prince put him through the night before could've been it. He sat up straighter when a though hit him. "Are my family here, yet?"

The Cerebro King shook his head. "I wouldn't know, Ichigo."

Ichigo was about to rise to his feet when there was a knock on the door.

"Enter," Sojun answered for him.

The doors opened for a Qitrudu Zikaru that Ichi wasn't sure he knew. The Qitru bowed once before stepping inside. "Good morning your Highness and Prince Byakuya's pet, Ichigo. I was coming to see if you were awake."

"Is something wrong?" Ichi asked.

The Qitru smiled. "Your family is beginning to get antsy."

He gasped. "They're here?!"

"Yes, shall we escort them in?"

"Yes, please."

The Qitru bowed before leaving.

Nerves and excitement reigned as Ichigo sat and waited for the soldier to return with the rest of his family. He'd have to ask the male to also go and fetch Shiro from wherever he was staying, what with him still being mad with Grimmjow and all. There was yet another chime moments later, and he was the one to, instead, call for them to enter rather than having the Cerebro King do it.

He was on his feet and rushing to hug everyone the moment he saw their faces. "Guys!" His arms wrapped around his aunt first. "I'm so glad you're okay!"

Yoruichi's returned the hug with a crushing embrace that the oranget didn't mind in the least. She kissed his cheek before muttering, "You have so much explaining to do."

Ichi nodded. "I know." He grunted as the others joined in making a warm group hug.

The king cleared his throat.

"Oh." Ichigo pulled away and turned to address Sojun. "Sorry. Um… ahem. Family, meet King Sojun Kuchiki. Your Highness, please meet my Aunt Yoruichi, my Uncle Urahara, and my little sisters Karin and Yuzu Kurosaki."

Sojun bobbed his head in polite greeting, and, much to Ichigo's relief, his family bowed back: Yuzu with a deep Japanese bow, Yoruichi with a hesitant and shallow one, and Urahara with a tip of the hat he wasn't wearing. Karin didn't bow, but Ichi fixed that by grabbing her head and forcing her to bend at the waist.

"It's a pleasure to meet more humans," Sojun said. "Especially those related to such a fascinating and well-mannered young male."

Despite the situation, Urahara fell into his usual comfortable mannerisms with that mysterious smile that Ichigo hadn't seen in quite some time. "So you're the alien that's taking over, huh?"

"No, that would be my son," Sojun corrected.

"Oh? And where is this prince then?" He sent a knowing glance at his nephew. "One that seems to now own my dear nephew, if I might add."

Ichigo blushed and diverted his eyes. They knew. They knew that he was some pampered pet with little rights now. Sure, that saved him the trouble of having to broach this embarrassing subject to them himself, but all the same he wished that they hadn't known.

He was surprised when his aunt grabbed him up again. "Don't look like that. We don't blame you, and we don't think any differently of you."

Again, Ichigo could only nod.

Sojun answered the earlier question. "My son is in the town delivering a speech to all of the other human inhabitants. I am only here to watch, and I wanted Ichigo's company while watching. I'll tune in now that we are all present." The Cerebro began meddling with a panel that they couldn't see and his hologram shifted over slightly.

While they waited, Ichigo asked the guard who was still there to get Shiro before naturally taking his seat on the floor while the others took up seats on the couch.

"Ichi-ni, what are you wearing?" Yuzu finally asked.

"Ah!" Ichigo yelped as he looked down at the brief-style that the gel-cloth was still in; basically the extraterrestrial version of walking around in his underwear. He quickly turned the disk that was situated on his hip so that the gel morphed into pants and what looked to be a halter top.

"Wow!" Yuzu murmured, and Urahara's brows rose in quiet amazement as well.

"It's what they wear on their planet," Ichigo explained.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Karin huffed, her arms crossed and attention elsewhere. Ichigo had to say that he was very surprised by her behavior. Sure, she was obviously peeved by the entire situation, but she was being quiet about it. Either the anger management program was working for her, or his aunt and uncle have given her a good talk before they got to the room.

There was half a chime, before the door opened and Shiro came in. A huge smile came over him, and he launched himself onto the collective laps of the others. More hugs, and greetings were shared between them before Shiro made himself comfortable lounging on their laps. He wiggled his fingers at the king. "Hey there, your Highness, how's it going?"

"Hmm? How is what going? Can you be more specific?"

Shiro cackled. "How are you?" he rectified.

"Oh, I am well." Sojun hit a few more buttons and finally another hologram popped up next to his. "Ah, there we go. And we haven't missed anything."

As they all watched, Byakuya sat looking at the townsfolk who were seated on the ground before him. They heard him whisper things to the workers who were in the middle of erecting something around the town and then around just the people sitting. After everything was working, and all of the humans had arrived, Byakuya finally stood and addressed the crowd.

"Greetings, citizens of Karakura town," he began. "I am Prince Byakuya Kuchiki; heir to the throne of my home world Seireitei, and soon to be ruler of your world. From now on, we control you as well as many of the daily workings of your town, but do not fear, we are fair rulers. Certain freedoms will be stripped from you, however. You are now barred from leaving this town, and your weapons will be taken. Communication with those outside will be limited and monitored."

Everyone flinched as the prince pressed a button and the slowly increasing amount of humans that were standing in outrage all fell back down with cries of pain.

"The collars you are wearing will be used to subdue you should you try to take arms against us. As you can see, I can target all of you at one time should that be necessary, and most of the soldiers around you now are equipped with the same remotes. I suggest you really think about the consequences before ever thinking to defy us in any way. However, on the other hand, the soldiers are also here to keep you safe."

The humans in the crowd, as well as their aunt and uncle, scoffed at that. Shiro rolled off of their family's laps and left the room; Ichi's brow wrinkled in concern for his older twin.

New duties and patches were bestowed upon many of the soldiers who were to be the new policing body over the town, and questions were asked and answered until eventually the event ended and the humans were escorted back to their homes. The king shut off the broadcast and looked to them with a calm smile. 'That went well."

Karin grumbled, but it was low enough that no one knew what she said.

The door opened and Shiro reentered. "Aw, did I miss the rest of it? How'd it go?"

"You were gone a long time," Aunt Yoruichi said, skipping the question entirely. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just needed to use the bathroom," he said simply and eased onto the floor next to the oranget. "So, what'd I miss?"

Ichigo gagged and slapped a hand over his mouth and nose. "Ugh! Kami, your breath reeks, Shiro! When was the last time you brushed your teeth? Last week?"

The albino frowned before huffing into his hand and taking a whiff. His face wrinkled in disgust. "Ugh, yeah, that's bad. Be right back."

On those last words, another cloud of funk floated into Ichigo's nose and he waved a hand. He paused. There was an acrid scent to Shiro's breath. It reminded him of stomach acid. "Shiro?"

"Hm?"

"Are you okay? Your breath smells like you just threw up."

Shiro made a face and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, I did. Don't worry though, it was probably just something I ate."

"You're ill?" King Sojun asked. "Have you seen Szayelaporro?"

He waved. "I don't need to, it's not that serious."

"I beg to differ. If you are not sure what's wrong, then there's no telling what it could be. Go see the scientist."

He threw up his hands. "Fine, fine! I'll go see him later!" He crossed his arms. "Honestly, it's probably no- erp!" Suddenly, he lurched and covered his mouth with a hand before rushing out of the room.

"Shiro!" Ichigo got to his feet and ran after the other. When he caught up to his brother, the teenager was on his knees in the bathroom with his head practically in the toilet, voiding his stomach in the nastiest of ways. He went to his own knees and pressed a soothing hand to his brother's back.

Shiro grunted and pushed Ichigo away with a shaky hand. "Ugh, get away. 'S so gross." He dry heaved a few times before stilling.

"I'll go get Szayel."

"Yeah, yeah, fine."

Ichigo was back on his feet and rushing downstairs in a matter of moments. Down in the lab he found the other set of twins seated on what looked like a comfy couch; a new addition to the room. "Lumina, Verona, where is your dad? We need him."

A door opened and Szayel strolled out of a room that was hidden behind an automatic sliding door. "I am right here. What is wrong?"

Ichi jabbed a thumb over his shoulder. "We don't know, but Shiro is upstairs praising the porcelain gods."

The pink scientist was quiet for a moment. "Excuse me?"

"He's throwing up. Like a lot."

He sighed. "Reframe from using your idioms with me, they don't make much sense to me." His eyes moved to look at his children. "What is it?"

Ichigo peered over his shoulder to see Verona lowering his raised hand. "It does make sense, father, because human toilets are made from vitreous china."

"Porcelain!" Lumina concurred.

Szayel shook his head with what looked like a small look of pride in his upper eyes. "Please take me to your brother, Ichigo."

Back in the bathroom, Shiro seemed to have finished and rinsing his mouth out at the sink. He passed the barest of glances at them before taking a drink from the faucet.

Szayelaporro approached him. "What seems to be the problem?" He pressed his fingers to the underside of the albino's chin to make him tilt his face up.

"Dunno. I felt fine yesterday."

"Hm," he murmured, though the look in his eyes didn't seem to match the inquisitive sound; they seemed knowledgeable and plotting. "Come with me to the lab, and I'll check you out."

Shiro didn't say anything, he just nodded and followed Szayelaporro from the bathroom. Ichigo watched them walk down the hall before returning to the bedroom. His aunt and uncle were standing with troubled looks on their faces with Karin and Yuzu still seated on the sofa. He briefly wondered why they had not also followed him out to check on Shiro, but then he realized that they had probably been told that they were not allowed to move about freely.

"Is Shiro okay?" Aunt Yoruichi asked as she approached.

"Yeah, he's with Szayelaporro, so he should be fine."

She huffed. "I swear, what he has better be of this world. The last thing I want is for one of my favourite boys to die from an alien disease!"

"They were both vaccinated with various inoculations when my son first arrived here. The girls too when they came here those many weeks ago."

"And what about all of the other humans in town?" Urahara asked. "And us for that matter?"

"Um…"

Everyone looked at Yuzu.

"I saw Grimmjow give you a shot of something while we were in the van or whatever it was."

"That was probably it then," Sojun murmured. "And my son wisely had the collars all of the other humans were wearing built so that it would give a single dose of the necessary injections upon being activated. Now they have to give it to those who did not receive collars if they haven't already."

Urahara nodded. "And why aren't we wearing collars like everyone else?"

Sojun smiled. "Because you will be given a choice."

"A choice?"

"Yes. My son was supposed to explain it, but since he is not here and the question now hangs in the air, I will answer it. You four are being given to choice of returning to the town, where you will indeed receive collars, or remaining here."

"To become pets, I presume?" Urahara said with his arms crossed.

"No, you will be exempt from that, as are all of the humans in the town." He shrugged. "Though that will not stop some of the others from fancying you as pets; humans aren't allowed on most parts of Hueco Mundo per Lord Aizen's laws, so the Qitrudu Zikarus are quite excited at the prospect of finally getting to have a human pet or two."

"Like Grimmjow," Ichigo supplied.

The king nodded.

"Tell me, your Highness, will functions like schools and stores also be governed by you?" Urahara asked next.

"No, only matters pertaining to communication and policing will be governed by us. For the most part anyway."

"Then we must return to town. Karin and Yuzu need to go to school, and my wife and I worked hard on building our store. Besides, what would you have us do here besides sit around on our asses."

Ichigo chuckled; his uncle was right. "Yeah, you four should stay in town. Me and Shiro would feel better if you were there."

"Then the matter is settled," the King said with finality. "You will be returned to Karakura later today, but for now I'm sure that you wish to catch up with Ichigo."

"Yes, he has a lot of explaining to do," Yoruichi repeated the phrase from earlier.

Ichigo could only chuckle nervously.

Before heading back, Byakuya wanted to take a moment to walk about Karakura town. The roads were devoid of life other than that of the Qitru soldiers and a few engineers, but he walked under the watchful eye of Grimmjow and Renji who walked a few paces behind himself. He was becoming rather fond of the bluenet, and was beginning to trust him almost as much as he did Renji. He'd thought the male to be brutish and uneducated, but Grimmjow proved him very wrong, though the Qitru did still have a temper.

Renji, himself, was slowly making it back in his good graces after the mess that occurred between him and his pet those many days ago. Byakuya was certain that the redhead's views on human pets had not changed, but perhaps now he would know to keep such opinions to himself when in his or Ichigo's presence. He hoped that his guard and his pet would be on corrigible terms soon.

"What is that?"

They stopped upon hearing the worried tone of a woman who had been summoned to her front door by one of the soldiers. She had a swollen stomach and a young boy clinging to her leg and whining for her attention.

"Your son requires this vaccine. I've come to administer it."

"A vaccine?" Worry creased her brow and she clutched her stomach. "Wh-What is it for? Is he okay?"

"Sarah!" The man's voice came from the house before he appeared at the door, and wrapped his arms around his wife. "Go get off your feet, honey."

Sarah was weeping. "He says he's giving Duncan a vaccine, and- "

Her husband shushed her and urged her to go back in the house while he took care of it. The soldier explained why he was there once more, and after some hesitation the husband picked up his son and held him still for the injection. The needle was made to be painless, but nonetheless, Duncan whimpered and teared up after being given the shot.

"Don't let him mess with the injection area," was all the soldier said before he turned to head to the next house that carried a human that need a manual injection. He bowed respectively to the prince before passing them by.

Byakuya carried on walking, presumably with his two guards behind him, but he came to a halt and turned around when he heard Renji speak to Grimmjow.

"Is something wrong?"

Grimmjow, who had been staring at the house, blinked and looked to the redhead. "Huh? Oh, sorry. I was just thinking. Seeing that pregnant woman made me think of home."

Both Cerebros were obviously confused, but it was Renji who spoke up. "How does seeing a pregnant female make you think of home?"

"The Annual Breeding Program is taking place in my hometown."

"Wish you could participate?"

Grimmjow scoffed. "Maker, no. My little brother is there. I just wonder how he's doing."

"Don't they announce a list of the breeding pairs?" Byakuya murmured.

"That's just the thing, your Highness. They do, but his name wasn't on it. I don't know what's going on, and I'm starting to get worried." He scratched his head. "I just wish that Lord Aizen would allow us to contact our families…"

"Hm." Byakuya turned and continued walking, hearing the two men following him closely. "I will speak with your planetary leader about this, then. It has been far too long since you all had contact with home world, and it would do no good for the mission if you were all to lose morale."

Grimmjow was silent for a moment. "Thank you very much, your Highness."

Byakuya said nothing in return. "There is another matter that I must discuss with you, Grimmjow," he murmured, switching back into their Alminian tongue. " Shiro to be exact."

"Is something wrong?" His tone was nervous.

"Ichigo brought up Shiro's concerns about how you treat him, about how he dislikes how you treat him."

Grimmjow growled a little, but quickly caught himself. "I'm sorry such a thing was brought to your attention. I've got it handled though; I was going to leave Shiro alone until he calmed down and then I was going to sit down and speak with him about the rules."

They came to a park and the prince decided to venture inside to enjoy the greenery. "Rules? What rules?"

"The ones that govern how one should treat their human pet."

Byakuya found a bench and took a seat after Renji dusted it off. "Ah, those. When did you ever read that?"

"During the trip here. A bunch of us did."

Byakuya let out an inaudible breath. It seemed his inaction had led to this troublesome predicament. "Those laws are only for humans already under our command, Grimmjow, I do not intend to have the same rules here."

Grimmjow's brow creased. "Sire?"

"The humans here are smarter, and have not been brought up under our rule. It would only cause more unneeded problems to try to enforce them. I intended on writing a new set of laws here, but I hadn't gotten around to it since you and I are the only ones with pets here; I see that was an error on my part."

"So what you're saying is that I don't have to follow those rules," Grimmjow clarified. "I can treat Shiro differently."

"Yes, that is exactly what I am saying. I'll have to begin writing a draft for everyone to read once we return to base." When he looked back to the Qitru he could instantly tell that he'd lost the bluenet's attention some time ago. He stood there with a wondering half-smile as his eyes spoke of deeper thoughts.

It seemed that the problem between Grimmjow and his pet had been resolved.

Shiro was left gasping after what Szayel told him, and all he could manage to do was to go to the new room Grimmjow had underneath the house (the ship was now a quarantine/sterile zone due to the two Ebola victims they had locked up there). The room looked a lot like the old one, though a little smaller and it lacked the en suite, instead there was a bathroom shared by three other males.

He was sitting on the edge of the bed; the place he'd set himself a couple of hours ago. Somewhere in his mind there was a little voice telling him to go up and tell everyone that he was fine, but he couldn't make himself get up from his spot.

Maybe an hour more of sitting and thinking passed when the door opened and Grimmjow entered with a large smile. Unaware of Shiro's inner turmoil, the big alien kicked off his boots, and pounced on Shiro. Before the albino could react, Grimmjow smashed their lips together in a passionate, albeit one-sided, kiss. "I have great news!"

Shiro frowned.

"Quit frowning at me. What I'm about to tell you will make you stop being mad at me. It turns out that I don't have to follow those rules I'd told you about! The prince told me that he intends on writing up a new set of rules since the humans here are so much more different than the humans we've been raising on Alma."

Shiro couldn't muster a reaction. Sure, that was great, but it wasn't nearly great enough to pull him from this stupor that Szayel had put him in.

Grimmjow let the silence hang for a moment before he moved kneel while still straddling Shiro's legs. "Well, that's that, now we don't have to worry about things like that happening again. Now," he sent Shiro a lustful leer, "isn't this the part where we have that make-up sex that I've read about?"

Shiro could tell that Grimm was just trying to be funny, but sex was the last thing on his mind; the last thing he wanted.

Grimmjow sighed, letting his shoulders slump and his head hang in the process. "Something else is wrong," he muttered. "What did I do now?"

His words made Shiro blink and he sat up. "No, no. You didn't do anything-er." He palmed his forehead. "Well that's to say… you didn't do anything wrong. I mean it isn't your fault… but it is your fault…" Now he was grasping his forehead with both palms. "I-I mean- "

Grimmjow grabbed his shoulders. "Calm down, Shi. Tell me what's wrong."

The albino heaved another sigh and dropped his hands before looking up to Grimmjow. "I've been puking all day," he started from the beginning. "I didn't really think anything of it, really. I just thought that something I ate didn't really agree with me, or maybe that I had like a stomach virus at the worse, but Ichi went and got the scientist anyway. So, well, Szayel checked me out… and said… that I was… pregnant…"

b~~~d

Grimmjow just stared, brain absolutely broken by the rather sincere confession.

Dumbfounded.

Confused.

Shocked.

Nonplussed.

He took a breath.

"Hah." He scooted off of the bed and rose to his feet. "Ha ha ha. Ha. Very freaking funny, Shiro. You almost had me, but there's no way, absolutely no way, that you would be this calm. No, you'd be freaking out. There'd be screaming, and swearing, and punching, maybe some crying, definitely some- "

"No. Grimmjow. I freaked out earlier. Szayel got to see that, and had to sedate me so that he could finish explaining everything."

Grimmjow stared him down again, but the honesty in that unwavering, haunting, gaze made him take a step back. "Right. This isn't funny. This is really, really not funny. Like at all. You're pregnant?!"

Shiro wrung his hands. "That's what the quack upstairs said, and he doesn't look the joking type…"

"You can't be pregnant! You're male! You're human! You don't have eggs!" He gasped. "Oh fuck."

Shiro looked up. "What?"

"You don't have eggs… but I do…"

Shiro made a face. "What?"

"Did Szayelaporro explain anything to you? About me? About my species?"

"No, he said that you should do it."

Grimmjow was raking his fingers through his hair over and over as he paced around the small area the room had left to spare. He cursed colorfully in his native language before returning to English. "Fuck! I'm so stupid! I should have known! I should've explained! I shouldn't have- "

"Grimmjow! Quit yelling at yourself, and explain what's going on!"

"You're pregnant!"

"Yes, I know that."

"I got you pregnant!"

"Unbelievable, yes, but also completely true."

"No it isn't unbelievable, Shiro. Ugh!" Grimm stopped pacing and fell to his rump on the floor.

"Good, you sat down. You were stressing me out, and stress isn't good for the baby," he muttered sardonically. Grimmjow looked at him and Shiro looked down at his lap. "Right, I forgot; not funny."

Grimm put his face in his hands. Breathe in, 2…3, breathe out, 2…1. "Shiro this isn't unbelievable at all."

"… why…?"

"Because the Qitrudu Zikaru race is an all-male race."

"Excuse me?"

Grimmjow flew into an explanation. "I dunno, it happened somewhere in our evolution where our bodies just decided to put the egg and the sperm into one buff, testosterone-addled package. It's why it's so hard for us to make kids. Top that off with the lack of a womb, so our seed grows its own so long as there's a fertilized egg to protect. "

"But, I don't have eggs! You just said so!"

"Yeah, but I do! My wires must be crossed and I can pass eggs along with my sperm when I cum; a small percentage of us are like that."

"You didn't know that beforehand?"

"It's never happened before! Besides, it takes a lot -a lot- of tries for the seed to finally catch."

"So the one time we have sex your body just decides to cross your wires for shits and giggles?"

Grimmjow threw up his hands. "I dunno, maybe!"

The room grew quiet again, and this time the silence stuck around for a while. Grimmjow finally chanced a look back at his human. He was staring blankly into space with a concerned look as he absentmindedly rubbed his flat belly. "It…"

Shiro brought his attention back to Grimmjow.

"It could always be… terminated…" The word was painful to say. "If you want…"

Shiro pursed his lips. "Do you?"

"Would you be mad if I said no?"

Shiro shook his head.

"What do you want though?"

Shiro shrugged. "I want to take a shower, and go to sleep."

Grimmjow quickly got to his feet. "We can do that." He gently gathered his human up in his arms and carried his from the room. Di Roy was seated on a couch in the common area looking at his data screen. He looked up and smiled as Grimmjow passed him. "Heyah there, Gri- "

"Not now, Di," the bluenet said curtly as he strode to the bathroom and went inside. In the bathroom there were two shower stalls, and Grimmjow went into the farthest one. He shut the door before setting Shiro on his feet and divesting them both of their clothing, grimacing as he took off his crotch guard and deposited it outside, out of the way. Out of habit, he tucked his cock between his legs before reaching over to turn on the water. Shiro was quiet as Grimm bathed him, though the Qitru was appeased whenever Shiro would look him in the eye. A small smile came over his features when the human hugged him around his waist as Grimm washed those snowy locks. They rinsed and Grimmjow carried him, bridal-style, back out of the bathroom.

There were two more people in the common room along with Di Roy. One was one of his other ensigns and the other was someone he didn't know, however that someone needed to learn quickly that if Grimmjow was scowling then he shouldn't bother him.

The new guy bounced to his feet and approached Grimmjow. "Lieutenant! It's a pleasure to finally meet you! Ah, is that your pet human? Handsome thing, isn't he?"

Grimmjow snarled, and got in the other's face. "Back away, slowly."

Pale, the new guy stepped out of Grimm's path and the bluenet carried on towards their bedroom where he set Shiro on the bed underneath the covers before snuggling up behind him. He supported himself on his elbow for a moment. He peered down at Shiro, smoothing his damp hair away from his brow.

Shiro peeked an eye open, and looked at him. "You know you didn't have to snarl at that guy like that, right?"

"You said shower and bed. I wasn't about to let some overexcited male get in the way of that."

Shiro snickered.

Grimmjow beamed. "There's that crazy smirk I like so much." He reached up to the control panel above the headboard and turned off the lights. He kissed Shiro's neck. "Goodnight."

So, in my usual fashion, before finishing a story, I think of another and add it to my already long list of stories I have to update. But here's the thing: it's a side story to this one! It simply called "Invaders: Back on Hueco Mundo" and features Grimmjow's aforementioned little brother, Pantera, as he goes through life without the protection of his older brother. Why don't you check it out?

Finished 5/22/16, 21:01, ~7495 words