Hey dudes! I'm really excited because this fanfic is definitely in the highest demand when it comes to people craving updates from me, so I'm glad I was able to get a new chapter out to everyone :D Even though it kinda took a long time hehe... NOTE: This chapter is another flashback, and goes back to the day Hoshiko was born. Anyhow, Xionluna asked for this idea, but it's for all of you to enjoy! So...enjoy!

My Star

All Renji could do was watch. Watch with his brown orbs as the tiny, red-faced creature in his love's arms wiggled a bit, opening her eyes slightly as she cooed up at her mother. Rukia, still lying on a futon and propped up by several pillows, seemed to have no memory whatsoever of the pain the child's delivery had caused her, as she touched the tip of her nose to the infant's forehead, a radiant smile spreading across her face as she laid a kiss there. It was plain to see that the small woman was experiencing one of the most joyous moments of her life, as Renji's trained eye could make out tiny beads of moisture gathering around her eyes.

And, honestly...he himself was not far behind her. They had a child...a precious baby that was theirs, who had both of their blood running through her veins. A testament to their love.

Soon, some fourth division squad members were going to come into the room to take the child's name, so her existence could be recorded completely and officially into the seireitei's logs. It was long ago that they had decided names, and the one they had chosen for a girl at that time was 'kimi'. It meant 'noble', and the reason for the selection was that, since both of them were originally from poor and poverty-stricken beginnings, they wanted to, in a way, give her a status which they knew society would almost definitely never regard her with, if only because of her parents' origins.

But now, as Renji observed his wife and their daughter, as he kept his eyes on the little miracle of life who was only a few hours old, he couldn't help but think one thing.

"Rukia," he said, breaking the silence which just then, he realized, had lasted a while. Her eyes turned to him, and he couldn't help noticing that, when she answered him, her voice was still a bit weak and hoarse, despite the bliss she was currently swimming in.

"Yeah?" Her eyes were alight, her smile wide and bright as she looked back at him, waiting for a reply. He couldn't help returning her expression as he continued,

"So, I've been thinking." The statement was simple and vague, and had the potential to spiral off into several different conversations. Rukia tilted her head just a bit, her face taking on a bit of a perplexed look.

"About what?"

"Well, I know we already have a name picked out..." As he said this, the direction in which his eyes were gazing shifted, and settled on their baby daughter. Rukia knew what direction he was going in now, as his voice had that pull to it at that end that begs the speaker to go on.

"Did you have another idea for what to call her?" asked the petite woman, curious as to what name he was thinking their child was suited for. Recognizing that she was open to the idea, Renji smiled a bit, eyes still on the bundle in Rukia's arms.

"All I can think when I look at her is that she's special..." he was cut off by a small laugh from Rukia, and after a slight, indignant glare at her and an internal recognition of how corny and obvious he sounded, he went on. "I mean...she's like you." At this the laughter in Rukia's large eyes disappeared, and she began listening intently, curious as to what he would say. "She's amazing...breathtaking. She has the potential to accomplish so much, and she deserves to have everything she could ever hope for." Though touched, Rukia thought that maybe her husband was going a little too far with his words, in the sense that she was only an infant, had only been drawing breath for less than a day.

"Calm down Renji, she's just a baby...I don't think you can really predict her character quite yet," Rukia half-joked.

"Nah," he said quickly, refuting her statement, "I can tell. She has your genes." And his hand nestled into the crook of the violet-eyed woman's elbow as he cupped his daughter's tiny head, using his thumb to tenderly stroke the side of her face. "She's not like me, a worn out, ratty stray." All the while, his gaze lingered on the child's face, the man unable to detach it. "She's like you, born for great things. She's...a star. Just like her mother." And he looked up at his wife, and she looked back at him, a touch of sadness hinting in her orbs as she heard him speak of himself so lowly. But, recognizing his higher intentions, she decided now was not the appropriate time to discuss that, and instead stuck to the matter at hand.

"So, what does this have to do with names?" It was another little joke, and Renji just smiled more, looking back down at his daughter.

"I want to give her a name that shows that," he said simply.

"So, were you thinking something like...Hoshi?" 'Star'. It was the most literal name she could be given if they went with Renji's idea, but he only shook his head, surprising his spouse.

"No..." he said. "You're the original star, Rukia. She's a star too, but she's the original star's daughter. She's the star child. She can't be just 'Hoshi'. I was thinking-"

"-Hoshiko?" His resulting smile was enough to affirm her statement, and as she thought about this new proposal, she found herself smiling, liking the idea. 'Hoshiko'..it fit. "I like it," she said simply, and both knew that the decision was made.

Which was perfect timing, because not as second later, a young female member of squad four knocked on the door, opening it when she received an affirmative from the opposite side.

"Have you decided on a name?" she asked them sweetly, and Renji smirked, placing a kiss on Hoshiko's head before pulling away and standing to face the woman.

"Yes, we have."

END

Aww, who else loves the fluff? Come on, you know you love it :) In case no one caught when I mentioned it before, Hoshiko means 'star child' (though you probably already figured that out if you didn't know it already). When this fic was still in the planning stages and I was searching for a good (and suitable) name for Renji and Rukia's daughter, I saw this name, and knew that it was extra super duper PERFECT for her. Brownie Points if you see why I think this :) And remember people, request something if you wanna see it, because even if I don't use an idea outright, many of them are a great inspiration, and if I use your idea YOU DO GET CREDIT! :DDD Anyways, Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo, and I love and appreciate all comments and opinions!