Disclaimer: No Bleach Manga/Anime isn't mine, but I do have hair bleach to use over the holidays... I lay claim to Cornix and Michiko though.

A/N: Merry Christmas everybody!

Thanks to shadowmarialove, Decow S Velgrit, clio1111, ARU, Kobee-Chan, OfeliaWolf, YaoiMonster, aku no tensai, stellryaoiluvr, and Nuriko Kurosaki for the reviews. Special thanks to aku no tensai who gave me three reviews, one for all first three chapters, and for having the last one being so loving and long! Love you guys! Here's the ...special holiday candy I forgot to tell you about... -sweatdrops- I think I was half-asleep when I posted... Also, thanks to those who faved and alerted my fic – reviews are better, but that makes me feel good too!

I forcefully shortened this. I wasn't going to make it that long as the last chapter, because I do want more than a few chapters -shakes fist and glares at casual acting bunny- Plus, there was only so much I knew was going to happen – starting to head into uncharted territory here...

Oh, and Decow S Velgrit brought up Starrk – do you think he should have a pairing? Not with Orihime, I'm afraid the bunny already has ideas for her. But Nelliel, Harribel, someone else...any ideas?

Oh, and I have a poll – Yuzu and Karin Zanpakutō ideas for a potential story. And a new one – after I finish/get more done of Renewal, what kind of story do you want to see? I've got 11 stories I'm pretty sure I can pull off currently!

I also must complain about Chad – I like the guy, seriously, but it's hard to write him. He's just so damn quiet!

Also! Pop quiz everybody! Why was it appropriate for things to go to hell in the fourth chapter? Those who answer correctly can ask me one question each about the story and I will answer via PM (so unfortunately, anonymous reviewers are cut from this challenge...). I merely ask you guys to keep what I tell you quiet, since it is possible for things to still change and I'd like to keep some surprises!

Warnings: Manipulative bastards, swearing, yaoi, Yamamoto being an ass, and...goddammit! Aizen! -sighs- Aizen wanted nookie and he got it this time, so graphic sex scene. Again. Gah...

-start-

Renewal
Symptoms of Shock

Ichigo felt sore. Very sore. Like he had been doing hard activities all night, which was ridiculous, as he was sleeping deeply last night.

He then noticed that he felt...lighter, much like he did in his Shinigami form. He carefully opened his eyes and was greeted with bright white.

And Aizen, sitting to his right in a small chair.

Aizen looked up from the book he had been reading from, and smiled. "Ah. You are awake." He then turned his head. "Cornix. Ichigo-kun is awake."

There was the sound of footsteps and another man entered his vision – an Arrancar, judging by the mask remnants on his head. "Ah. It is good to see you are awake, Kurosaki-sama." He turned his eyes to Aizen and gave a short bow. "I will fetch our new healer now, Aizen-sama."

Aizen nodded and the man – Cornix most likely – left, footsteps retreating. "It is good to see you awake. You slept an hour longer than I expected. It is now close to noon."

Ichigo sat up abruptly. "You...he saw..." He looked around wildly. The white walls, ceiling and floors said one thing. Las Noches. He felt dizzy a moment, his world turning upside before subsiding – but it wasn't the same.

"You...escaped?" He finally got out, turning back to look at Aizen, breath catching when he noticed his eyes.

Aizen smiled. "More...like I was rescued."

Ichigo stared at him, face paling. "How..." He then remembered.

"I can gain control over your body at anytime, taking your place. With that, you become the enemy of all those who once were your friends." He smirked as Ichigo seemed to cave under that image. "I can even, with effort, use your abilities."

"No..." He whispered. "No!" He shouted, trying to get up. Aizen stopped him with his hand and pushed him back down on the medical bed.

"Oh, yes Ichigo-kun." Aizen gave a pleased smirk. "You are now a traitor to all Shinigami. They clearly saw you burst out of the Ujimushi no Su with me in tow and acting like friends to an Arrancar." He then tilted his head. "Not to mention, before that happened one of your...stalkers saw 'you' and Ulquiorra talking, Ulquiorra treating you as his superior. And they reported that in to Yamamoto-sōtaichō."

That got Ichigo's attention. "Ul...Ulquiorra?" He got out. "I...killed him..." He trailed off, remembering clearing how Ulquiorra faded away and his feeling of sinking into dark despair and shock. Not to mention the cries of Inoue beside him.

"We have Inoue-kun to thank for that. Such a gentle and sweet girl, she couldn't bare to have him dead and took the opportunity soon after the War ended to resurrect him." Aizen explained. "I had counted on that. That and her kindness letting us gather her once again."

His smug tone enraged Ichigo, who quickly sat up again and punch him, sending his head back with a jerk. "You...asshole! How could you!" 'Inoue...Inoue is here as well!' He thought, horrified.

Aizen turned back and rubbed his bruised cheek. He then turned white on purple eyes to him. "You shouldn't overwhelm yourself. You have only reached your third month of pregnancy and though you have access to your reiryoku fully, what I did earlier is far more than enough. You should be resting, while Cornix brings our new healer to you."

Ichigo glared at him, but the thought of hurting the baby sent a sharp pang through him and he subsided, lying back down.

Silent tears stung his eyes, but he managed to keep them from falling. He wouldn't cry in front of this bastard, no matter what.

Aizen sighed and turned back to his book, waiting for Cornix and Sasaki-kun to come.

-line break-

Michiko slowly opened her eyes, wincing at the too harsh light for her sensitive eyes. 'Let's see...pounding headache, extremely dry throat and mouth that feels like something damn nasty died in it, everything is very sensitive to sound, light and scent...' She groaned. 'If this is what a hangover is suppose to feel like, I'm glad I never drank before.'

Michiko remembered too clearly what happened last. Her memory had always been damn good. That stupid Arrancar Cornix and his fucking wind powers and his stinking dammit-to-hell sleeping powder.

"Awake, hmm? Good, I need you to come with me."

That damn familiar and painful-as-hell voice made her sit up, though she also clutched her head in pain. "The..." She managed to get herself under control and noticed a glass of water and plain white pill in front of her, both held in dark skinned hands.

"You should take this. It will make things feel better."

Not really thinking, aside from the prospect of relief, Michiko grabbed it and downed it, chugging the water.

The relief was almost instant as the reishi pill dissolved quickly and spread soothing waves through her body. She sighed in relief and looked over at Cornix.

He smiled. "Ah. Good, now as I said before, I need you to come with me. We have a patient for you to look after."

Michiko blinked her pale eyes, but swung off of the bed she had been placed on, noticing the rather bland surroundings, though they weren't really jail like. Just not lived in.

She then caught sight of her outfit from the corner of her eye and stopped and looked down.

She gaped. She was wearing small slip-on black shoes, long white tights that are thigh length, a short white mini-skirt edged with black, a black with a white stripe down the middle belt, a white button up jacket with long sleeves with black circular buttons, and a pink tie over that. The hell...

She then noticed that her Zanpakutō was resting on the side table. She glared. Was she considered such a low level threat that he didn't care that her weapon was available? She snatched the tantō from the table and quickly discovered the sheath on her back, attached to the belt. She sheathed her blade and whirled on Cornix.

"What the hell is this outfit? Who dressed me?"

Cornix raised his eyebrow. "You don't like it? I had designed just for you, as it accents your only good attributes." His gaze lowers to her legs. "And Sarasa, one of my assistants, dressed you. There's nothing I'd really like to see anyways."

Michiko goes brilliant red from a combination of rage and embarrassment, face feeling hot enough to cook an egg. "Sh...Shut up! You said I had a patient right? Take me to them!"

Cornix stifled his laughter – barely – and opened the door. "This way, medic-chan." As he lets her pass him, he remarks, almost absently, "Oh, right. Just so you know, the door is set so it only opens to me or my assistants' reiatsu signatures. No one else's will work."

Michiko glares at him, but decides it would be best to ignore him, following him through the massive white hallways.

-line break-

Urahara could feel the beginnings of a severe headache and the start of something even more horrible.

Ichigo a traitor. Orihime apparently a traitor as well. Aizen was free and Espada level Arrancar were running around. Renji was in critical care from Ichigo's actions.

Ulquiorra back to life and the only one who could do it, judging by the reports by Ishida-kun and Ichigo, was Inoue Orihime which didn't help her appearance of traitordom.

And, recently, Isshin had charged up to his shop in Shinigami form, demanding to know why there were Shinigami corpses on his lawn, scaring his daughters. He had even brought the corpses with him, and thus they were currently being looked over by Tessai.

Good thing too, as he hadn't liked the fact one of them was crispy and black from apparently lightning going through...her from what they could tell. He wished Tessai luck in that department, especially with keeping an iron hold over his stomach.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and turned to Yamamoto-sōtaichō, who hopefully had answers.

The old Shinigami was scowling. "I placed those 2nd division members there to keep an eye on Ichigo."

Urahara narrowed his eyes. "What for?"

"For protection of course."

"Bullshit." Ishida snapped. "I never saw either of them, and they never dealt with any Hollow, no matter how close they came to Ichigo."

Yamamoto narrowed his eyes. Ishida glared back, back by the presence of Chad behind him. Isshin was also angry looking. "I saw them. I got a look at their Zanpakutō before they went out of shikai and dissolved. One of them had a poison type, perfect for assassinations."

Yamamoto sighed. "I had to cover all the bases. In case something..."

"You don't trust my son, that's it!" Isshin was pissed. All traces of a goofy dad was gone, and in place of that was a veteran Shinigami fed up with all the lies. "As soon as he gained his powers back, you were going to have him killed!"

A sharp in take of breath came from Ishida. He turned shocked blue eyes on the Shinigami on the screen. "You wouldn't..." His eyes narrowed at the calm but irritated look on his face. "You would." He grit his teeth. "You Shinigami are all the same!" He spat out, treating the word like a dire insult.

"He was seen interacting with the revived Arrancar Ulquiorra Cifer. Also, his actions before hand were very erratic..." Yamamoto attempted to explain.

"Ichigo lost his powers in a way that isn't often used or even known. We have no ideas exactly what kind of symptoms he would have because of it." Urahara interjected, placing hands on both Ishida and Isshin's shoulders in an attempt to restrain them, if only a little. "We had been keeping track, but there is only so much one can do for someone who refused aid."

The sōtaichō's eyes turned to the blond shopkeeper. "And why would he refuse aid in the first place?"

Urahara was interrupted by a noise coming from Yamamoto side of the connection. "Let me in now! I don't give a damn what he is doing!"

An angry Suì-Fēng entered the view of the screen and scowled at her superior. "Sōtaichō! Why did you go around me and order my subordinates without my permission! I promised Yoruichi-sama that I wouldn't bother Kurosaki-kun and now she's angry with me as it looked like I condoned him being watched by some of my top assassins!" She screamed at him, panting fiercely afterwards in her pure rage. The brief realization that she had yelled at the sōtaichō crossed her face, then she scowled once again. Yoruichi being angry at her was worse.

Urahara turned to look at her. "You didn't know about this?" He asked sharply, grey eyes intent on her face.

Suì-Fēng automatically scowled at him but nodded sharply. "I wouldn't do that to either Yoruichi-sama or Kurosaki-kun. He might have been a wild card, but every action had a good reason behind it at least."* She glared at Yamamoto. "Now, why did you do it?"

"Kurosaki Ichigo is a wild card and I couldn't trust that his powers were truly gone..."

Isshin snapped once more. "I didn't have my powers for years." His reiatsu flared to life around him, as light blue as his son's. "It was only because of my son that I even regained them. And yet you..." Isshin was at a loss for words. He was just that damn angry.

"Calm down. Now, Ishida-kun, Sado-kun, I know you have been closely watching Ichigo. Tell us, again, what you saw?" Urahara carolled the others in the room, hoping to find something, anything, as an explanation.

Slowly calming down, Ishida began to outline everything he remembered, Chad inserting reminds at (rare) times.

Urahara frowned over the break down in the classroom. "That...is very strange. He's been like this for..." He mentally counted it off. "...a little over three months. Isshin didn't last that long with symptoms – he was only tired, dizzy and irritable for a month or so."

Isshin decided to share his own info. "His health has been strange as well. Most of the days he couldn't stomach Yuzu's cooking and kept running to the bathroom to throw up when he encountered certain things via scent from what I can tell."

"He ate Inoue's lunch a few times." Ishida added, shuddering. "And liked it."

Everyone made a face at that. I mean, ewwww...

"He also was very sick once – had a high fever with vomiting at first, though the vomiting stopped early on, leaving him only very tired and hot."

"I remember – he didn't come to school that day." Ishida said.

Urahara frowned. Something was nagging at him. Something important. "Anything else you recall?"

Ishida looked embarrassed. "Um...well...he's been emotional, you know and recently..." He trailed off. "Yesterday after school, I tried to figure out what exactly was making him upset." He paused. "I remember seeing him arguing with himself once, or appearing to be, and his moods were...getting dangerous in some ways. Also, it was like he was starting to hear the Hollows again, but he never mentioned it and seemed to be doing his best at hiding it. And..." He paused, groping for the right words. "It was like he was listening to someone that he didn't like at times. I...was worried." He confessed. "So I tried to talk to him."

Ichigo snarled and grabbed his collar, shaking him. "Fucking Quincy, stop asking questions to which there are no answers I can give!"

"He seemed to...know what was going on but..." He lowered his gaze. "Refused to give any kind of answer."

"No. Ishida...I can't. You don't know what you are trying to get into."

He had looked so hopeless and helpless then.

"I left him alone for awhile, then decided to follow him. Found him in a park..." He paused once more, then took a deep breath. "He was crying like...like his world was ending."

There was silence over that. Isshin clenched his fists (Where had he been for his son?). Chad's face darkened. Urahara's frown deepened. Even Suì-Fēng looked somewhat worried – Kurosaki wasn't the kind to break down that easily.

Only Yamamoto remained impassive.

"I...stayed with him until he stopped and then he left." He shook his head. "I didn't press him for more answers." He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. "I should have."

Something suddenly clicked in Urahara's mind. He paled. 'No...it can't be...the Dangai* training should have...if it had been...'

Yamamoto noticed. "Have you figured something out, Urahara-san?"

He swallowed. "I...perhaps...it doesn't seem..." He sighed. "His symptoms, increased exhaustion, nausea, mood swings, changes in taste, cravings..." He looked at Isshin. "You told me he wanted more fish than usual and that it was one of the few things he ate that was normal."

Isshin nodded, curiosity growing on his face. "Yes. In fact, practically anything from the sea worked." He admitted. "He started to really want shrimp and oysters along with the fish. Anything that tasted 'fish-like' was good for him."*

Urahara plopped down into one of the chairs and sighed. "You better all sit down." He dragged his palm over his face. Everyone – except Yamamoto and Suì-Fēng – traded strange looks, but complied.

Urahara braced himself. "I think..." Time for the plunge. "He's pregnant."

Silence.

Then...

"WHAT?"

-line break-

Crimson light soothed and dived into Ichigo's spiritual body, focusing on the stomach area.

Michiko gave a soft smile to her patient. She had recognized him – who didn't after he stopped the Sōkyoku?* – but had quickly gone into healer mode upon being told of his condition.

The poor child – pregnant at such an age and obviously hadn't been warned about it before hand.

"The baby is fine. Somewhat more active than normally at three months, but fine." She was rewarded by a surprisingly soft look from Ichigo, his eyes being drawn to the area the baby's soul/body was developing.

A look of confusion crossed Ichigo's face. "Wait...I was in the Dangai for three months as well..." He looked over at Aizen. "Why am only at three months?"

Michiko blinked as well. In the Dangai...? She hadn't heard that. Cornix also looked intrigued.

Aizen considered the question. "I knew that something like that would happen. In fact, you running around fighting would normally made it impossible for the baby to establish itself. The carrier has to be in a relaxed calm environment for the pregnancy to even start."

He lightly petted Ichigo's head, almost absently. Ichigo scowled, while Michiko shivered at the casual but possessive action. "But I had found a very old Kidō that would handle it. It was made for the Nobles to help with their heirs, as that was very important to them. It mostly works during the 'month' that the baby's soul starts to latch on. It lets the potential soul hang on by a thread no matter what happens until things settle enough for the baby to start to truly form."*

He smiled. "That was difficult to get, more than the one I used to...possess you, Ichigo-kun. The Nobles guard their secrets well."

Ichigo looked away shame faced. Michiko's heart went out to him. Bad enough to be in Hueco Mundo, the Hollow world. Bad enough that the enemy of Soul Society was free and in command. Bad enough, if Ichigo's and Aizen's comments meant what they seemed to, to be considered a traitor.

It was even worse to be pregnant and considered a possession by the "father".

"Sasaki-kun, do you have any advice?"

Michiko blinked and was pulled out of her thoughts. "Uh...yes." It is the least she can do – no healer was going to let a mere unborn baby die, no matter the circumstances or parentage. "Kurosaki-kun should adjust his diet a bit – more healthy foods, small balanced meals, and he needs more vitamins. Um..." She fidgeted. "Is there any way to get the medicine I have to subscribe...without any problems or undue violence?" She blurted out, then blushed at Aizen's look.

"Very well. I will send Starrk tomorrow – he is recently healed and needs to do some minor testing to make sure he is at full power. He will not cause any issues that will delay his return to rest." He seemed amused by this.

Cornix handed her a notepad and she quickly scribbled out the list and tore it out, then hesitated. Cornix took it and, after looking it over, handed it over to Aizen. "I can possibly synthesize these if I could get an ingredient list." He commented. "With your permission, Aizen-sama, I will join Starrk in his mission and gain the needed information from the Research Division."

Aizen scanned the list and nodded. "You have my permission." He turned to Ichigo. "Ichigo-kun, I believe you should sleep at least, is that right?" He looked over at Michiko, who quickly nodded under his purple and white gaze.

"In that case, I will take you to your room." Ichigo gave a small yelp as he was swung into Aizen's arms, bridal style. He blushed. "Oi, I can walk you bastard!" He protested.

Aizen tilted his head. "But not right now."

Ichigo swallowed at the look in his strange eyes and then violently looked away, refusing to acknowledge him.

"Cornix Sanguinarius, Sasaki Michiko-kun is your responsibility. Her safety and needs are your concern. I suggest you make sure she won't be attacked or damaged in any way by other lesser Arrancar and Hollows."

Cornix nodded while Michiko bristled, to Aizen's amusement. 'Stuck with that asshole? Hell no!' She thought fiercely.

Cornix grabbed her upper arm and started to "escort" her away. "I will see to it Aizen-sama before I leave."

As they left, they heard Michiko yelling at him.

"Hands off you bastard, I don't need any help from you...!"

Aizen brushed a hand through Ichigo's hair once more – it was much softer than it looked – and adjusted him so that his head was propped on his shoulder. "Shall we?" He asked, rhetorically as he moved into Shunpo almost immediately and headed to the rooms that he knew Nelliel had prepared.

For the both of them.

-line break-

Silence reigned supreme.

"You..." Ishida was gaping rather unattractively, glasses down to his nose, before he gathered himself enough to push them back. "You are kidding. Kurosaki...he's...well he's a he. How could he...?"

Urahara sighed. "Spiritual pregnancies are different from normal pregnancies, that of those within the human world. We are spiritual entities after all..." He muttered.

"But...how?" Ishida asked incredulously. Chad, though it was hard to tell, was also curious.

"Basically, for Shinigami – and possibly Arrancar now to think of it – while the two 'partners' have sex their reiatsu clashes and fights. If the one...on 'top', so to speak, succeeds and subdues the other's, then the one on the bottom can become pregnant if the energy that forms within them is given a month of peace to form and anchor itself. There is the need for..." He paused and gave a wicked grin, taking the time to enjoy the two younger ones' blushes as he finished. "Semen from the 'father' of course, meaning that currently there is no chance of two girls producing a child, though I heard they are working on that..." He trailed of in thought briefly, then shook himself and continued. "Like humans, it is a nine months pregnancy, with a few differences. Nothing physical really happens, but mentally and spiritually..." He trailed off and frowned.

"That would explain why he obviously regained his powers." Isshin admitted. "For the first two months or so, no real reiryoku abilities can be accessed and the carrier is utterly helpless. But it...it would allow him to regain more passive abilities..." He looked sad. No real guess why, he was basically condemning his son, though he couldn't help but be honest nonetheless.

"There is a good chance the presence of the child – or at least the potential of one – forced Ichigo's powers to hang on subconsciously."* Urahara pulled out his fan and covered his face, leaving only his shadowed eyes visible. Right now, he felt very old.

"But that doesn't make sense!" Suì-Fēng protested. "Kurosaki-kun was technically three months in the Dangai performing Jinzen* – the forceful violent nature of that time should have stopped the child from even forming! No one can protect a child that isn't truly there yet."

Urahara considered that. "That is true. But if the...father is who I think it is, he would have prepared for that eventuality." He focused on Yamamoto. "Do you know of any way that would be possible?"

He shook his head. "Regrettably, no. I will ask others though." His frown deepened. "Does he have no boundaries?" He mused to himself.

Ishida was confused. "What...you know who the father is? How...?" He was interrupted by Chad.

"Aizen..." He turned dark eyes to Urahara. "You think Aizen raped him." The word was dirty and foul and tasted like poison on his tongue.

Ishida felt like a bucket of cold water was dumped on him. "Wha..." He slumped in his seat. How did he not see that? No, he had seen it – just refused to consciously acknowledge it.

Urahara looked very sad, as he removed the fan from his features. "...Yes."

"Are you sure it was unwilling?" Yamamoto asked. "Kurosaki..."

"Didn't know about that." Urahara interjected. "I didn't tell him, did you?" He growled. "Dammit, Yamamoto, he's sixteen – no one was going to do anything of that nature and if they wanted to they would have waited until he was at least legal over in the human world. And they would have told him about that before doing anything as well!" He snapped.

Suì-Fēng looked thoughtful. "It is possible that Aizen left something behind that might explain this. But we've looked everywhere..."

"Everywhere?" Ishida interjected. "Have you truly check his...old captain's office by any chance?"

Suì-Fēng blinked. "No, it was obviously just for show..." She trailed off and hit herself, dragging her hand across her face, irritated with that stupid lack of action. "Stupid. He could have hidden something, anything, in plain sight." She turned to Yamamoto. "I will check it immediately, Hinamori-fukutaichō hasn't been able to touch it yet, and take Kuchiki-taichō with me – his family keeps track of all historical knowledge so it is a good chance he might recognize something, even if it is just a slight chance. Plus, Nobles do tend to have information that others are lacking."

Yamamoto nodded and let her leave with a burst of Shunpo. "Urahara, I want you to check those scanners of yours. I'm sure you either picked something without knowing or something is missing that could direct you to it."

With that he shut off the feed.

There was some more silence, heavy and thick over them.

"...We aren't going to find anything to clear either Kurosaki or Inoue." Ishida stated dully.

Everyone looked horrified at him. "What?" He snapped, irritated with their looks. "It is Aizen involved with this – don't tell me you haven't realized that he would have covered all his bases. Whether or not Kurosaki and Inoue are innocent, we won't find anything that truly says otherwise."

At that he stood and left, angry at Soul Society, at Aizen, at himself. After a moment, Chad followed, his movements of a man who just had the weight of the world dropped on his shoulders.

Urahara looked at Isshin, who's eyes were in shadows. "...Unfortunately there isn't much of a chance he is wrong."

"I know." Isshin's voice was this close to breaking down. "I know." A small tear leaked out and Urahara stood to place a comforting hand on his old friend's shoulder.

They stood like this and considered their options.

There wasn't much choice.

None at all.

-line break-

Aizen opened the rooms that had been prepared and nodded in satisfaction. All of Las Noches was going through renovations, thanks to Nelliel and Harribel, but the living quarters were first priority of course.

He walked to the massive bed, noting that it was in covered in a purple and orange swirled duvet and adjusted his cargo so that he could flip back the sheets.

He laid Ichigo down on the bed, and he turned away, curling up and refusing to look at him.

Aizen sighed. "You can't spend all your time sulking. Your inner world tends to rain when its like that, and that is not good for the baby."

Ichigo whirled on him. "Then what is?" He demanded, eyes red and bloodshot from stress and held back tears. "You...you bastard! I..." He trailed off. Aizen had unlocked the memories of what he did while he was in control, showing him what "he" did. "I...I nearly killed Renji!"

He could see it clearly – in his mind, it was almost in slow motion. Everyone's horrified and disbelieving looks. Rukia looked heartbroken. Renji looked like he wanted this to be a dream. Even Suì-Fēng and Kenpachi looked upset.

He bit his lip. There wasn't going to be anything for him to go back to.

"Why...why me?" He asked, turning and facing the sheets, tracing meaningless patterns with his index finger. "Why...of all people did you pick me?"

Aizen looked at him for a moment, face expressionless, then reached out and picked up the hand, sitting gently behind him. "Who else? Unlike the rest, you Ichigo-kun are always bright and shining. Nothing about you rings false." He traced his own patterns over the back of Ichigo's hand and then pressed a quick kiss to it. "It has to be you. I will not settle for less. No one else is as perfect."

Ichigo looked at him, wide eyed and mouth slightly open.

Aizen groaned inside – don't look at me like that – and reach over and pressed a soft kiss to his mouth.

Ichigo froze, but the kiss remained gentle and slow, tongue only briefly wiping across his lips.

They parted, Ichigo taking a deep breath in response. "What?"

Aizen kissed him again, this time more forcefully, hands reaching around to wrap around him, one on the back of his head pushing him into the kiss, the other caressing his hip through his hakama, sliding it downwards.

Aizen broke the kiss and trailed downwards to suck on Ichigo's neck, hands now undoing his kosode and other garments, baring his chest to his view.

Ichigo let out a moan as his hands pinched and caressed his nipples, Aizen's mouth now sucking on the soft junction between his neck and shoulders. "Ohhh...no...sto...ah..."

His hakama was removed, followed swiftly by Aizen's own garments. Ichigo was pushed to lie on his back on the bed, looking up at Aizen crouched above him.

Aizen drank in the sight of him below him, hair mused by his hands, blushing a beautiful red and lips swollen from kisses. He then leaned down and took him into a harsh kiss, drawing him into a battle that he quickly won.

Desire fogged Ichigo's mind, as Aizen grasped him, tugging and touching just right. "Ahh..." He broke the kiss to let out a loud moan as Aizen dug his nail slightly into the slit of his cock. "Please..."

Aizen reached over to the side table and carefully opened the drawer, searching and finding what he wanted. He idly blessed whoever did that and removed the bottle of lube and opened it, still peppering Ichigo's neck with kisses, licks and bites.

Once he had thoroughly coated his fingers, he pressed them to the entrance, pausing when Ichigo froze and tried to get away only to be held down.

"Relax." He said and pushed one finger into the protesting entrance. Ichigo squeezed his eyes shut.

Aizen moved his free hand and gently stroked Ichigo's member, as he wiggled the finger around and did his best to stretch it.

As Ichigo began to relax, he removed it and inserted two, scissoring them slowly and curling them.

"AHH!" The orange-haired teen shrieked, eyes opening with shock. Aizen smiled and pressed again for that reaction.

Ichigo panted and pressed against the fingers, which quickly turned to three. After some more stretching, he stopped and removed them, despite Ichigo's whines.

He coated his hand in the lube and then covered his own penis carefully with it, watching Ichigo who panted under him, covered in bite marks and nicely flushed.

He positioned himself, kissed Ichigo and thrust.

Ichigo stiffened, again, and Aizen slowed once more, stroking his erection once more to reintroduce pleasure to him and loosen his muscles. He then pulled back and pushed it back, slowly at first to help Ichigo deal with it.

And then he hit it again and Ichigo screamed, clutching at him. He wrapped his legs around his waist and kissed him back fiercely, Aizen obliging his silent pleas to go faster.

There was the sound of skin slapping on skin as he picked up pace, Ichigo constantly making screams, wails and loud moans, hand scrabbling against Aizen's back, head turned slightly to the side as he panted.

Ichigo then shuddered and let out another louder scream that echoed farther than the rest, as he came hard. Aizen followed after a few more thrusts as moans and groans of his own exited his mouth.

He stayed suspended above Ichigo for a moment more, before carefully exiting him and lying down next to him. He grabbed Ichigo's discarded hakama and carefully wiped him and himself up, discarding it permanently afterwards.

Ichigo slowly came down from his high and flinched. 'Dammit...why did I...why do I always...' He felt weak. Weak beyond measure.

Despite his best intentions, a few tears leaked from his eyes, to be wiped up carefully by Aizen.

He unconsciously curled closer to Aizen and began to cry, as Aizen just held him and did nothing else.

He was making progress.

But whether that was a good thing remained to be seen.

-line break-

The others within Las Noches had definitely heard Ichigo, at least the last cry.

Sung-Sun, Apacci, and Mila Rose giggled among themselves, while Harribel remained, thanks to her style of clothing, expressionless, while Nelliel went bright red and gave a nervous giggle.

Starrk groaned. "Dammit...I want sleep..." He then rolled over in bed, despite Lilynette's questions about what exactly that was. She kicked him once, then settled down.

Cornix, and Michiko with him, paused, Cornix in the middle of explaining certain things to Michiko – things that had her scowling. He grinned, while Michiko blushed vibrantly.

"It is nice to hear Kurosaki-sama enjoying himself." He said brightly.

Michiko decked him. "PERVERT!"

Grimmjow rolled around in his shared bed to look at Ulquiorra, who was sitting at the desk and reading, though he stopped when he felt the blunet's gaze.

Ulquiorra raised an eyebrow at his mate's look. "What is it Grimmjow?"

Grimmjow smirked. "Bet we can be louder."

Ulquiorra stared at him, considering, then a small smile crossed his face. "I do believe you are right..." He said, as he stood and approached the bed, discarding his clothing as he went, watching Grimmjow do the same with heat in his gaze.

And Orihime, having been told everything by Nelliel, who apologized throughout it all, closed her eyes.

"Oh...Kurosaki-kun..." She opened them again, and looked out at the endless night outside her window.

She then clasped her hands and bowed her head. "Please...please...please..." She whispered, but what she was hoping for, praying for, she didn't know.

Maybe...maybe it was just for a happy ending.

Whatever happy was at this point.

-tbc-

A/N: Whoohoo! I can shorten the chapters! Yay!

Unyay the depresso ending though...damn you Orihime...had to butt in and change the funny ending I wanted to that!

Again, I will point out I have polls on my profile. I really would like some input please!

"*" Notes:

Suì-Fēng's reasons: A lot of people tend to make her an obstacle or even villain, but I wanted to try something different. She's been spending time with Yoruichi and does look up to her. Also, she's a smart cookie. She's bound to notice that everything Ichigo does is always for a good cause – he might be a wild card and terrible with orders, but he isn't evil or really a threat as long as he is treated well. I figured Suì-Fēng would figure that out and want to leave him alone and let those who are close to him in the first place give the information that they wish. Basically, Yoruichi trusts him, so she will give him at least the benefit of a doubt at this point. If needed, she would give him the information to help him make a decision and give him plenty of warnings.

Dangai: (断界, Parsing World), also known as the Precipice World, is the dimension between Soul Society and the Human World, separated from space and time. Ichigo spent three months within it before the final battle and came out a transcended being, which he lost with his powers.

Fish as a craving: I just randomly thought of it while I was writing. I never really gave him cravings in previous chapters, and then decided to give one for this one. Fish was a random thought – I suddenly thought of wanting that for supper or something and went with it, upgrading it to "fishy tasting" as I wrote.

Jinzen: (刃禅, Blade Zen): This method is the only way to carry on a proper conversation with one's Zanpakutō. One places their sword over their lap and takes a meditative pose and then forces their mind to become one with the Zanpakutō. This also allows the Shinigami to enter their inner world and fight their Zanpakutō for new abilities – as the Zanpakutō will not wish to give this to the wielder, this can be very dangerous. Ichigo performed it in the Dangai, as Suì-Fēng mentioned.

Sōkyoku: (双殛, Twinned Punishment) is a large halberd, which the Gotei 13 uses at Sōkyoku Hill to execute Shinigami that have severely broken the law. Or was, thanks to Ichigo, Ukitake and Shunsui's efforts. When not in use, the Sōkyoku was sealed by a number of thick ropes wrapped around its pole, which pierce the ground, holding the halberd in place. The Kidō Corps unseals this before an execution, causing the ropes to unwind and shoot off away from the hill. As the Sōkyoku activates, it emits an immense amount of flames, and rises into the air, pointing towards the victim, who is held before it by support beams. The flames then envelop the halberd, revealing its true form; a massive, phoenix-type entity called Kikōō (燬鷇王, lit. "Blaze Fledgling King"). In this state, the Sōkyoku's offensive and defensive power is said to be equivalent to that of a million Zanpakutō. As it pierces the victim, this power increases by tenfold, and creates so much heat that it vaporizes their soul. (Just to remind you just how freakin' awesome Ichigo is for stopping it with Zangetsu in merely shikai mode!)

Aizen's explanation: I was surprised that no one asked about this – why the hell Ichigo was only three months pregnant despite the Dangai. I had this idea for why this was possible since the beginning and I could finally fit it in, now that Ichigo was told by a certified medic that his pregnancy was at the third month mark. The next chapter should explain the Kidō better.

Urahara's reasoning about Ichigo powers: That actually isn't true, as Aizen pointed out. Ichigo has always had great power, and he was a transcended being near the end. Urahara is just guessing – I have my own theories about it, that I might use in another story, but currently I'm wondering about the newest arc of Bleach – its gotten to the point that Isshin is going to explain things, and I'm wondering how I will take it. Like, do I ignore it, or is it going to be perfect for my needs?

Thank you for reading and enjoy your holidays. Magic Christmas cake slices for reviewers!

Anything helpful and/or questions get you a cute plushie! -cuddles Ichigo plushie- I got others now as well! The entire current main cast – except for the OCs, I'm having technical difficulties – is available. Any input, like how you think Cornix and Michiko are, whether or not people are OOC, my portrayal of Suì-Fēng...the works. I want feedback it helps with the fic writing.

Next Chapter: Symptoms of Echoes

Where Suì-Fēng and Byakuya investigate, Cornix totally blows it with Michiko, Starrk and Cornix go to Soul Society, and Orihime finally is able to talk to Ulquiorra.

~Love Psycho

PS: I noted that I have 2,955 or so hits for Renewal as I post this chapter. That is wonderful! ...where are the rest of the reviews? It's nice to know people read it, but I'm human and I have my own self-esteem to think of – I like to know how I'm doing, and if there are that many people who have at least checked it out...