Title: Baby Boom

Rating: M for mature content

Disclaimer: I wish I did, but I don't!

Updated 2/5/15

Chapter 1

Renji was in a grumpy mood. There was no better way to describe it. Rukia had finally deemed him unfit to be around 'the little dears,' and he had been sent out behind the 78th District Children's Home to chop down some dead wood…and hopefully let off some steam. He had stripped from the waist up, leaving on only his hakama and was swinging the ax with relish.

When Rukia finally stepped out to see how he was doing, all she could see were wood chips flying in every direction. "Renji, you baka! Be careful before you accidentally put out an eye!" she yelled over the methodical thump of metal against wood. "What's wrong with you anyway?" she asked as he slowed to a stop and wiped his face.

"What do you mean? I'm fine," he glared at his friend as he silently dared her to continue.

Of course she ignored his obvious warning, "Oh, really? You've been stalking around all day like a bear with a toothache. It's getting old and you're scaring the kids!" she finished with her personal trump card. She knew how much her red headed friend loved the younger children here. He'd never want to intimidate them.

She was right and he deflated almost instantly, slumping and sitting on a nearby stump. "Ok, fine…so I'm not in a good mood," he looked up at her with one last glare. "Happy now?"

Rukia sighed and sat down on the ground nearby, "Just tell me what's eating you."

"It's Ichi—," he began but was interrupted.

"Are you guys alright!?" she hopped up to stand in front of him, hands on her hips. "What did you do?"

He waved her off with a glare, "What d'you mean what did I do? We're fine… It's just that Ichigo had to attend a council meeting."

She suddenly understood, "So that's it," and she sat back down. "Are they still pushing for an heir?"

Renji ran a hand down his face, "Oh, yeah."

"You'd think that after their last lame brain attempt they'd have learned their lesson," Rukia chuckled.

"You only think it's funny 'cause it's never happened to you," Renji sat up straight, affronted by her giggles. "It took three days for that shit to wear off! It wasn't fun."

Rukia cast him an 'Oh please,' look, "Don't try to tell me it was such a hardship for you. I don't buy it."

"Well yeah, sure the sex was good, but after that wore off he had almost a week of side effects before the drug was finally out of his system. I don't want to see anyone go through that again!"

She frowned, "Was it really that bad?"

Renji nodded, "The damn fertility drug they spiked his tea with had some nasty side effects. It mimicked food poisoning, so he spent most of that week in the bathroom, puking his guts out. About the time we thought he was past the worst, it would hit him again. I tell ya Rukia, if I ever find out who slipped him that mickey, I'll kick his ass!"

"…So to summarize, we've decided to re-install the policing units into the lower districts of the Rukongai first," Ichigo finished his summation of the last item on the agenda with a smile. This was the kind of work he relished…striving to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.

He sat down and was beginning to relax when one of the elder councilors, Fumio Shiba, spoke up. "Before we adjourn, Ichigo-sama, I would like to address an ongoing issue with the Council."

The younger man groaned inwardly, he knew what was coming. Fumio was the prime instigator in his earlier drugging incident. The old man was determined to force the issue of the line of succession and he was getting both impatient and creative.

"You have the floor, Fumio," Ichigo motioned for him to proceed. He'd made up his mind how he would handle this cranky councilman the next time this came up and was biding his time before he lowered the boom on the old man.

Fumio glared at the young head of the clan. He couldn't get past Ichigo's lack of respect. The problem was that over the past four years, Ichigo had lost all respect for the older man and refused to pretend otherwise. Fumio had to admit, although reluctantly, that his last plan had been a dismal failure. And since he'd been found out, he couldn't complain anymore about the boy's informality.

He made an impressive picture as he stood up. He was one of the eldest on the council and although his hair was gray, it was hard to tell his age otherwise. He stood straight and tall at six feet and moved like a much younger man. He had clear green eyes and the only wrinkles were the laugh lines around his eyes and mouth. Ichigo hoped he looked half as good at his age…whatever that was, the man himself refused to say. Fumio cleared his throat, "As you are well aware, Ichigo-sama," he stressed the honorific, "there has been some concern as to the succession." This brought a few quiet murmurs from some of the councilors and groans from a few more. "We are awaiting the time when you secure our line with an heir, and some of us are becoming quite exasperated."

Ichigo nodded as the old man sat down. He brought out some paperwork he'd had drawn up since the drugging fiasco as he stood. "I am more than well-aware of some of the council's impatience. Unohana-taicho was quite forthcoming on the lengths to which you want me to conceive an heir." He handed the first document to the Head Councilor, Kaede Shiba.

As he handed her the corroborating evidence as to who had masterminded the incident he continued, "I thought that after that blew up you might back off a bit Fumio, but I see that isn't going to be the case.

"After the council examines the documents presented, I would like to ask them to seriously consider the removal of Councilor Fumio from this governing body." He sat down with a sigh as the documents were passed around, along with more than a few exclamations of surprise. He hadn't wanted to do this but he really had had enough.

Fumio was loudly protesting but too noble to act out in any other way and when the Head Councilor asked for his side of the story, he shut up and refused to say anything else. Ichigo had to respect the fact that the man didn't try to lie his way out or throw anyone else under the bus.

The vote came quickly and surely and as the former councilor was led out of the room, the young man stood again, garnering the others attention. "I want everyone here to realize that I did not want to do that. I do understand his, and some others, frustration and impatience. My father blew off his duties to the clan to protect the one who was closest to his heart. It's understandable that you might think that I'll do the same.

"However, I am not my father and have never taken my responsibilities lightly. Read over recent Soul Society history if you've forgotten. And the one closest to my heart is here, not in the World of the Living. I have no reason to willingly abandon my clan."

He took a deep breath before continuing, "Even though I understand some of the council's worries I cannot condone the machinations of certain members. Fumio was essentially the fall guy for a group of three…and even if I couldn't prove it, I have my eyes on you two so cut out the crap!" Heads turned to the other two suspects who had the grace to look embarrassed.

"If the council believes that I am incapable of handling the Clan Head's duties, I will be more than happy to step aside," this garnered rather loud protests. He continued before anyone could interrupt, "However, I will no longer allow you guys to push me around regarding whether or not I have a child! If this continues I will step aside and at that point I'll wash my hands of the lot of you."

He smiled rather grimly at the very loud protests. He knew that would get their attention! He was a very well-liked and respected clan head and his council did not want to lose him. "It's ridiculous that we even have to have this conversation," he concluded. "The Kuchiki clan head is only now beginning to catch some flak about his childlessness and he's just over three hundred. The Shihoin head is even older and hasn't received this kind of attention. I'm only twenty-five for crying out loud! Back. Off. This is the last time I want to hear of this," he sat down.

Kaede cleared her throat in the dead silence that followed. "Thank you Ichigo-sama. If that is all, this meeting is adjourned. We will accept nominations to replace Councilor Fumio at our next regular meeting." She and Ichigo remained seated as the rest of the council filed out.

"So how did I do?" the orange head asked with a small smile after the last member left.

"You did very well my dear," she smiled back. Ichigo could tell that at one time she'd been a beauty. Her hair was white now but just as thick as it had always been. She had very kind warm butterscotch brown eyes that always seemed to be smiling…except when she was handing someone their ass. The young man knew that for a fact as he had been on the receiving end more times than he cared to remember. She moved with a grace that rivaled any of the younger noblewomen and could out shunpo him when necessary. "Now that you've let them know you won't be manipulated, they should back down."

He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I hope—," he cut off as a hell butterfly flew in and landed on his extended finger. After hearing its message, his eyes flew to meet the Head Councilor's, "I have to go!" Before he could take even one step she grabbed him into a quick hug.

"Have a good day dear."

"Thanks, I love you Baa-chan."

Rose heard Ichigo coming long before he saw him. He was pleased when he noted the time. It meant that he'd won the bet he had with Shinji on who would be the first to arrive. He turned as the door slammed open and their youngest member flew in. Rose grinned when he noticed Izuru hovering in the doorway. "It's alright Izuru," he smiled as he stood and firmly shut the door in his fukutaicho's worried face. Ichigo was practically bouncing, he was so anxious.

"So? How did you do it?" were his first words.

"Ichigo, you'll have to be more specific. I believe you are quite aware of the mechanics of how someone becomes pregnant?" His smile widened as he sat down and motioned for the younger man to do so as well. "If not, your father has failed you miserably," he finished dryly.

The younger man blushed as he sat down, "You know that's not what I meant." He leaned forward, "You're the first…so how'd you do it?"

Rose turned serious as he settled more comfortably in his chair, "The whole thing was so simple it's amazing that no one thought of it earlier." He paused, "Well the concept is simple. The execution…wasn't."

When it looked like he wasn't going to continue, Ichigo asked, "Once you figured out whatever it was, how long did it take for you to conceive?"

The blonde Taicho smiled again, "A year."

Renji saw Rukia home later that day, but before he could leave, her brother appeared. "I am glad that I caught you, Renji," he began as he motioned the red head toward the garden. "I want to speak to you regarding Ichigo."

Renji settled himself at a small wrought iron table positioned near the koi pond as Byakuya sent a servant for tea and then joined him. The red head didn't think this boded well and he hoped his young lover hadn't angered the noble too much. "What's he done now?" he asked dryly as Byakuya sat across from him.

The brunette quirked an eyebrow and gave what he considered to be a smile, "This has nothing to do with work. I have some concerns…for the both of you, now that he heads his clan. The council has been…difficult?"

Renji groaned at that question, "God's yes!" About then their tea arrived and once they were served he continued, "They've been way too interested in our private business." Byakuya nodded as he continued, "Ichigo works well with the council members and I believe he's popular with them. You know…respected. It's just on the issue of an heir that they get so thoroughly unreasonable."

The older man looked as if his suspicions had been confirmed. "It's because of his father's actions. Otherwise I don't believe they would be acting this way. The Shiba were a respected clan until Isshin abandoned them. With no suitable heir to take over, they fell. It is logical that they don't want that to happen again."

Renji was nodding in agreement, "True. However they're driving us nuts."

His former Taicho sipped his tea as he considered his next statement, "I believe it would be a good idea for you two to consider marrying."

At this Renji almost choked on his tea, "Tai—Byakuya, I can't believe you just said that!"

"I know, and I do not mean to pry, but there have been some indications that his council is seeking to force a marriage on him."

"Ya mean with a noble woman?" At Byakuya's nod he continued, "Well it won't do any good. There's no woman in any world that Ichigo would want that way." He paused as he re-thought that statement, "Well, maybe Hallibel, but I can't see them approving that union either. Anyway once we mated, that was it. He can't be with anyone but me."

The raven head noted with amusement how proud his former fukutaicho sounded. He responded, "Since that is the case, make it officially binding. It has been five years…don't you think it's time?"

Renji scratched the back of his head, "You know it has come up a few times, but we've both been so busy, it never seemed right."

"Don't let him be stolen from you Renji," Byakuya frowned. "No one who cares about you two wants to see that."

"It seems kinda odd, you coming to me about this," Renji chuckled. "Did Rukia talk ya into it?"

"No. Your mate's council did when they approached me about a union between our clans. They thought Rukia would make an excellent wife for Ichigo." Before Renji could do more than splutter he continued, "Of course I turned them down. Rukia has made her own choice and it has nothing to do with Ichigo."

"Well yeah, she and Hanataro are pretty well on their way to the altar."

"Exactly. However that is why we are having this conversation now. Rukia considers you two to be family and as time has passed, I've grown to feel the same way." He looked very seriously at the red head, "I want my family to be happy with their chosen mates. Renji, do not wait too long."

AN: Here we go again! Chapter 1 of the sequel to "The Mating Game" is up and running!

I am using the term Baa-chan as a nickname for Ichigo's grandmother; yes, I've given Isshin a mom. :D