Disclaimer: Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo

Chapter 1: Becoming A Father

"Alright Renji, this is it. The day you've been waiting for, 9 months of preparation has led you up to this moment… Open the damn door!" A very flustered Renji Abarai was disturbing the peace in the 4th division on this particularly lovely day in the peaceful seireitei, standing outside of the entrance doors to the actual building of the 4th division. If Unohana had been alive, he would have been dragged in by the ear already, all included with a chillingly warm smile and soft eyes.

However, the new Captain of the 4th division is a lot more demure than her former captain had been, however her ragtag younger sister would have been all over that in place of the former Captain. Earlier on today, Renji had been doing what he does every day: working.

First he had gone to get his directions from his captain, and brother-in-law now, which is something Renji still can't wrap his head around, even after 5 years of marriage to the prideful noble's younger sister.

He had done his duties, his paperwork, and tended to his captain's errands or any needs that were required of a lieutenant, he had gone for his lunch break, and then he was getting on with the training of his squads new recruits. Simple and a normal everyday occurrence for the red haired tattooed lieutenant. Until…

"LEUITENANT! SIR!" was the resounding scream from across the training fields, which came from a very frantic looking Hanataro. After the war, Hanataro had maintained his job in the 4th division, and even though he had been through trying times with the rest of them, he had also maintained his demure, and slightly cowardice, nature.

"Stop shoutin' damn it, I'm right here" Renji grumbled at the young man, making him squeak and bow, the apologies pouring from his mouth repeatedly before getting to his news.

"I-I'm sorry Lieutenant sir, but i-it's Rukia-sama, she's given birth" By the time Hanataro had risen from his 10th bow, Renji had disappeared from his sight followed by a strong gust of wind.

The rest is history, and here he is. He hears the rustling of the bustling 4th squad members rushing about the place, healing and most definitely fussing over Rukia. Being a Captain now, and the youngest one, she is doted on by pretty much everyone in the seireitei, this only increased and spread throughout all of the divisions when she fell pregnant.

Even captain Zaraki gave his squad specific instructions to tend to her needs should she ever venture to the 11th division, and captain Kurotsuchi would nearly never allow her to stand for too long in his presence, always demanding his "imbeciles" in his squad to get a chair for her. Of course, there is no shocker that the most protecting and doting captain is her dear brother. He had bought a hell of a lot for the child, and it wasn't even here yet. Well… It's here now.

With one last breath to calm his mixture of nerves and excitement, Renji opened the door with a great thud, and made way for Rukia's room.

"Ah! Renji!" Captain Isane said her eyes already teary with a serene smile on her face and a napkin in her hand.

"Captain Kotetsu… Is she in there?" Renji said, his voice wavering slightly, motioning to the door at the right of him. Isane grimaced at the title, still not used to the formality of her position.

"Renji, we're friends… Isane is just fine" She chided softly, until nodding and gesturing for him to enter to meet his family. He smiled at her, bowed in thanks, and went in.

He saw Rukia lying on the bed, holding a bundle so wrapped up he couldn't see the contents yet, he looked into her eyes, and was amazed to see this new aura around his wife.

She had this air of serenity and empowerment, and a soft smile on her exhausted face as she met the eyes of her husband. She also looked incredibly proud, like she's showing off a new drawing before Ichigo would tell her its crap.

"Renji… Come in. Come see her" Rukia said softly, excited but obviously very tired from her hard work during birth. Renji's face immediately lights up, and his voice brightens.

"It's a girl?" He said taking a seat beside his wife, who nods and smiles at her lovers awe stricken face at the news that he has a little girl. Rukia moves the bundle slightly, propping the tiny thing up, and pushing the thick blankets down a tad to reveal a tiny pink face, with a tuft of crimson hair and dark lashes resting on adorable puffy cheeks.

Renji was completely still, just staring at his daughter, trying to wrap his head around the instant love he felt for this child that he hasn't even held yet. To him, she was completely perfect, like her mother was, but different. This was the absolute best parts of her mother and him, making her absolutely otherworldly flawless.

"Isn't she perfect?" Rukia said breathlessly, also staring into the wonderful face of her daughter.

"She's more than perfect, I have no words for it" Renji replied, a smile splitting his face as Rukia hands her to him, instructing him on how to hold her.

"She looks just like you" Rukia said softly, stroking her silky soft red hair, obviously given to her from her father. Rukia loved Renji's hair, and she was overjoyed that their daughter had received the same soft red locks that she loved even more now after seeing them on her child.

"Nah, she has my hair but her gorgeous face is all yours" He said, grinning at his wife as she blushed and slapped his arm before they both went back to staring at their beautiful child.

"I guess she's an Ichika then" Rukia giggled, referring to the names they had picked out. They had a boy name and a girl name picked out, and she was secretly glad she could use her favourite name, Ichika. A mixture between Ichigo's and Byakuya's name, honouring the two of the people her and Renji cared for the most.

"Ichika" Renji said softly, his smile shining through his voice. The baby squired in her father's arms, and her little eyelashes fluttered a few times before opening, revealing none other than her mother's large violet orbs staring up at her father. They could only stare, both revelling in the new development of seeing their daughters eyes open for the first time.

"Oh! Hi" Rukia cooed excitedly, putting a finger to her daughters soft cheek.

"Hey there Ichika" Renji said, smiling down proudly at his daughter, as if she would talk back to him.

"I wonder what she's thinking" Renji drawled, making Rukia smirk.

"Probably something like 'I really hope I didn't get my daddy's eyebrows too'" Rukia snickered, gaining a playful glare from her hot-headed husband.

"Way to kill the moment, shorty" He grumbled, before giving the baby back to her mother, putting an arm around Rukia so that she can feed their child.

They sat there, excited to get out and show her to everyone. She's like the best drawing of Rukia's life.