Crossbreeding the Future

Chapter 11

The next line



Due to how things flowed I decided to divide up the last chapter into two chapters, so there will be one more chapter after this one where the rescue will take place. Last chapter was originally added as an afterthought so it wont flow as smoothly into this one. There is some time overlapping between the two.







With no time line and less pressure upon them it took considerably longer for the next line to come up. So to did the order change. Of course Lilinette was the first to give birth, having already been with child when Aizen had made his declaration.



Little Yamada Azucena was born with the black hair of her father and the pink eyes of her mother. She had an eye piece that wrapped around her head like her mothers and for some reason Taka took an instant liking to her and had loudly proclaimed, “there it is.”



Unohana was deeply confused by her child’s statement, but Stark had just nodded in sudden understanding and had gone to speak to Aizen. He had assured her after coming back that all was well and Taka’s wings would eventually come back.

Aizen did do check ups on them yet again, but this time it was every three months instead of every month.



With Rangiku belonging to Ggio now Unohana was relieved to discover she didn’t have to heal anyone anymore short of the usual cuts and scraps accidents brought about, mostly with the kids and mostly Taka and Kinomi who never once cried and would show of their ‘battle wounds’ with great pride.



It was Rangiku who came up positive first about a year and a half after Aizen’s declaration for round two to begin. There was definitely a relationship forming there and Unohana wasn’t sure if she should be happy that the woman who had been tortured the most was now happy and content with her new master or sad that they had been here so long that they no longer saw their masters as enemies.



Unohana followed two years after the proclamation. She was slightly ashamed to admit that this time had been less of her laying their while Stark took her and more about him actually offering her some pleasure, and her him.



Rukia was another four months after Unohana, although they weren’t sure how much of that was because of lack of trying or because it took that long for the two of them to actually sleep together. She suspected that Rukia and Grimmjow only ever shared a bed on the nights Aizen did his tests.



Isane was forced to sleep with whatever arrancar Aizen seemed fit to reward, and on occasion Gin would pay her a visit, sending Akata of to play with Barbo. Either Aizen or Gin had apparently told her bed mates to be gentle with her or they feared what would happen to them if Gin’s occasional play mate was damaged. She had yet to conceive to their knowledge.













“Be careful Kinomi, that’s a real blade.” Rukia warned, worry etched on her face.



The others sat down watching with various levels of interest. Reina and Akata were off in a corner playing in the sand, an eight month pregnant Rangiku and Ggio keeping an eye on them.



Galgo was off somewhere sleeping with his father. Taka was nestled in Unohana’s lap, a look of pure jealousy on her face that Kinomi got to use a real blade instead of their regular Bokken.



Isane was sitting beside Unohana, a look of worry on her face as well. Kinomi was only four after all and that blade was very sharp.



Lilinette and Hanataro sat side by side, little Azucena nestled in her mothers arms. Both were watching intently.

Rukia and Unohana still felt they were a little young to be wielding any type of sword, but the two girls were just going behind their backs and Grimmjow would be dammed if Kinomi picked up bad habits so early in life.



And so the two young girls, age two, had started learning the basics of sword work and how to control their reiatsu and have continued to learn for the last two years. Other then Taka the other children seemed not to be interested in the least, and were content to play in the sand in a random corner of the training ground.



This was the first time Kinomi was permitted to actually use a real weapon, so of course she was super excited, more so because the blade was her beloved ‘tera.



“Do you remember the first kata I showed you?” Grimmjow asked, standing across from Kinomi.



“Yes, Otousan.” She stated firmly. “ ‘tera and I are ready.”



Kinomi gripped Pantera’s hilt firmly and fell into the stance Grimmjow had been teaching her. She closed her eyes and took a breath, murmuring something under her breath they didn’t quite catch.



Then she launched herself at Grimmjow, slashing and dancing in the pattern he had been teaching her. Pantera was a bit big for her, but there was definite skill as she went through the routine.



Grimmjow acted as her counter part, blocking his own blade with his arm. Kinomi had no where near the strength to get past his Hierro so it was no problem for him to use his arms.



Despite her worry that Kinomi might accidentally cut herself Rukia had to admit she was beyond impressed as Kinomi went through the kata and flawlessly restarted it. If one was not familiar with the kata, or katas in general, it would appear as a flawless run through, unable to tell where one round ended and the other began.



Kinomi had a look of concentration on her face as she went through the routine. Grimmjow had a smirk of satisfaction, and maybe just a little hint of pride, on his face as he led her around the ring, blocking her strikes.



She didn’t stop the kata until he suddenly jumped back. She stopped mid swing and immediately fell into a defensive stance, waiting for further instruction.



She was only suppose to do one of the kata’s but she had pulled it off so smoothly that Grimmjow bit out another one and jumped back into range. As soon as he was in range she launched into the requested kata, once again with him playing the counter part.



Rukia watched in awe and pride as her daughter swung Pantera about as if the blade was her own, even if it was longer then she was tall.











Kinomi was in heaven. She had got to hold ‘tera many times, but never had she been permitted to draw her. Not wanting to leave the sheath on the ground she had managed to find a blue ribbon and had it tied over her shoulder.

She was determined to do this right. She fell into her stance and briefly closed her eyes, getting a feel for ‘tera’s weight in something other then a hugging grasp and without the sheath.



“It’s an honor to wield you ‘tera. Let’s show Otooji that all his hard work training me paid off please.” She whispered softly.



A quick confirmation and then she launched into the kata she had been practicing with her bokken. She wasn’t worried about hurting Otooji, his skin was really tuff, so she didn’t hesitate in the least.



She flowed through the kata, ‘tera felt like an extension of her body, a million times more balanced then her bokken. She loved it. She whirled through the movements on repeat, dancing through the steps, stopping only when Otooji jumped out of range.



She fell back into a basic defensive stance, waiting for the next set of instructions. He seemed pleased and she preened in pleasure at his approval. He called out another kata and moved back into range.



She didn’t hesitate, joy coursing through her body that she was being permitted to wield ‘tera longer then Otooji had told her she was going to get to. She flowed in to the kata and changed smoothly to each one as he called them out.



“Taka-chan is going to be so jealous, ‘tera.” She thought to the blade in her hand in glee.



Eventually Otooji called a stop, much to her disappointment. Her and ‘tera were doing real good together. She hadn’t realized how tired she had become, or how sore her little arms were for wielding the large blade for so long.



“Thank you for letting me wield you ‘tera.” She thought to the blade before sheathing her on her back. “Thank you for the lesson and letting me use ‘tera, Otousan.” Kinomi bowed.



She was right, a glance over at Taka showed how jealous her friend was that she got to wield a real blade.



“Good work, Pantera-chan.” Grimmjow complimented.



“Thank you, Otousan.” She chirped with a big smile.



He held his hand out and with great reluctance she handed ‘tera over. Instead of taking the blue ribbon off like she expected, her wrapped it around the sheath and tied it off.



“I just might let you wield ‘tera next week.”



“Really?” She clapped in excitement at the thought.



“Okaasan, if Pantera-chan gets to wield a real blade I want to too. I am just as good as she is.” Taka complained.



“You will have to ask Otousan.” Unohana responded.



“Why can’t you let me?” Taka demanded.



“Okaasan have no power, remember.” Kinomi pointed out. “Only Otousan can let us do things.”



“Oh, right. Why is that?” Taka asked confused.



“Because Aizen-sama declared it.” Reina answered stoically. “Otousama has informed us are required to follow Aizen-sama because he is the strongest and thus not to be questioned.” Reina quoted.



“Otousan is strong.” Akata agreed softly.



“Oi, Taka-chan, where are you going?” Kinomi called when she noticed her friend wandering off.



“I am going to go find Otousan to see if I can have a sword to.” She answered.



“You can ask Stark-sama at dinner, Taka-chan.” Unohana stopped her from wandering off.



“You two don’t have time to be wandering.” Grimmjow barked, but without any malice. “Grab your bokken, front and centre.”



Both girls snapped to attention, Kinomi running to collect her bokken from her Okaasan before joining Taka, standing at attention with all her focus on her Otouji.



“Now then, the next stroke……”











“Very good.” Unohana complimented Akata as she looked over his shoulder.



The children were sprawled about one of the training grounds, ink splattered paper before them and brushes in hand. The paper they were working on had their names written on them in various locations as they practiced the Kanji for their names and their parents names.



“Excellent work, Reina-sama.” Ggio complimented.



“Thank you, Ggio-san.” She responded formally.



Unlike the others Barragan had commanded Reina learn her numbers and kanji as soon as she could hold a brush. She in turn had shown Akata, the two of them getting along as well as Taka and Kinomi did.



Galgo was the first done, handing his paper to his mother before disappearing to find his father. He had learned the faster he learned, the more time he got to spend with his dad, preferably sleeping.



“Aw man, I would sooner be practicing with Grimm-sensei.” Taka complained. “Are you sure we need to learn this stuff Okaasan.” Taka complained.



“It is Aizen-sama’s will.” Reina pointed out.



“Kinomi-chan, you are usually done by now.” Unohana commented, looking down at the girls paper.



“I am done.” She answered, but still her brush moved.



Of to the left side of the page was the kanji for every kata Grimmjow had taught her in the order they had been learned. To the right was the Kanji for every weapon she knew of.



Half the page was covered in her name, the rest with the kanji for Pantera. There was hardly any space left.

Chuckling, Rukia retrieved the page before there was so much ink on it that it would become a sheet of black paper instead of white.



“Hey.” Kinomi complained.



Rukia handed her a fresh sheet.



Happy, Kinomi started all over again, covering it in the kanji for various kata’s, weapons, and of course Pantera. Grimmjow’s name was sprawled across the top and hers on the bottom.



Then, with a look of extreme concentration, she added a picture of Pantera in the center. Rukia just shook her head and sighed. Yeah, Ichigo was going to kill them, assuming he ever got to see his daughter.



Before she could head down that path of torment again, Rangiku suddenly called for Unohana, her voice strained.

At once everyone’s attention was on her. Hanataro was by her side before any of them had a chance to move, sending out orders for various items.



Papers forgotten, Kinomi and Taka watched in fascination as Rangiku went into labor, the fluids not in the least bit disturbing them. Reina wasn’t all that interested, grabbing another fresh sheet and working on her numbers, ignoring the proceedings.



Ggio managed to get to Rangiku, holding her head in his lap and using a damp cloth handed to him by someone to wipe the sweat from her brow as he watched Hanataro deliver his first child. Something he had help create.

Once again Rangiku annoyed the other women by taking only 4 hours from start to finish.



Hanataro cleaned the new baby up and handed him to his father so he could assist Rangiku in cleaning up and sitting up. Both girls climbed up onto Ggio’s back and stared down in wonder at the new addition.



“What should we name him?” Ggio asked, moving over to where Hanataro had repositioned Rangiku so she could see their child.



She looked up at him in surprise, after all Barragan had not permitted her to assist in naming Reina. She looked down at her son, taking note of his features.



Like his sister he had his mothers ginger hair, but his eyes were entirely his fathers. He also had fragments of his hollow heritage, a rather glaring one to compared to the others thus far.



His mask went all around the back of his neck like a think, solid mane before becoming narrow half way up the back of his head and forming into two fangs that stopped right at his hair line on his forehead.



“So much like his father.” She thought. “He reminds me of a Lion.” She commented.



“Leon?” Ggio suggest.



“Hmm.” She looked at him.



“I means lion.” He explained.



“Leon Vega.” She tried. “I like it.” She smiled down at her son.



“Leon Vega.” Ggio agreed.



Although Reina pretended otherwise, they all knew that secretly she was happy about being an older sister. Now she actually had someone she could boss around and hold court over other then Ggio, who really wasn’t any fun as he was too old to play her games.



Leon was the fifth born that showed his hollow heritage. Aizen had been very pleased, even if Leon seemed to have less reiatsu than the others, that like Reina his reiatsu felt both Hollow and Shinigami. Exactly what Aizen had been looking for.



Since Aizen was pleased, Barragan had been pleased as well. So far Rangiku had been the only one to produce two children that clearly showed their Hollow heritage and had both sets of reiatsu.



Barragan stuck with his ‘getting too old’ story and officially handed her over to Ggio, much to Nirgge displeasure as Ggio wasn’t up to sharing. Of course after Leon had been born suddenly all the other children wanted siblings. Talk about instant jealous.











Unohana wasn’t as fortunate this time around. She went into labor during lunch. The child born this time was a girl with the brown hair of her father and the blue eyes of her mother.



Like Taka she showed signs of her hollow heritage. Instead of a falcon hers was twin snakes intertwined with each other, biting their own tales. Her reiatsu was insane and felt of both Hollow and Shinigami.



However instead of working together her hollow powers were consuming her Shinigami powers. Which was probably a good thing because without it her reiatsu was completely out of control, at least until her hollow powers out did her shinigami half.



Aizen had been very intrigued and had taken the child for study. Unohana had tried to stop him, but was stopped under the crushing force of Aizen’s reiatsu and informed the only reason he wasn’t going to punish her for such insubordination was due to her years of silent obedience.



In the end Stark had managed to convince her it was probably for the best seeing as how unstable the child was. After all if her Hollow power ever out did her Shinigami it would result in the child devouring herself with her own reiatsu.

Aizen had assured him that he was looking for a way to regulate the child’s power and she would be returned as soon as a method had been developed. It took him four months, but little Rinascita was eventually returned to her, wearing a bracelet much like her necklace that Aizen ordered was never to be remove.



Seeing as how that bracelet was regulating Rina’s reiatsu by apparently converting her Hollow reiatsu into Shinigami reiatsu, Unohana was not going to disobey. Despite the bracelet her powers would still fluctuate dangerously whenever one or the other power was used, and as such she needed constant supervision and was regularly sick.



“If we ever get out of here it will appear as if Ukitaki-taichou will have a constant friend.” Unohana couldn’t help but to think. “When she is older she can be trained to access both powers and to use them in intervals to keep them even. With two pools to draw from Rina could be as powerful as Aizen-sama, but it is such an unstable and dangerous power.”



She feared for her daughter, but nothing could be done other then to live day by day and keep an eye on her.















“That’s my Pantera. Keep the tip up.” Grimmjow explained patiently as Taka and Kinomi faced off across from each other, Bokken in hand and wild grins of delight on their faces.



Rukia and Unohana still felt they were a little young to be wielding any type of sword, but the two girls were just going behind their backs and Grimmjow would be dammed if Kinomi picked up bad habits so early in life.



As such the two young girls, barely five, were already far past learning the basics of sword work and how to control their reiatsu and would probably be ready to join the academy had they been home.



The other children still didn’t seem interested in the least in sword play and were content to play in the sand in a

random corner of the training ground or practice their number and kanji.



“So this is what you have been doing in your spare time.” A familiar voice came from the entrance to the training ground.



All eyes shot to the entrance were Aizen was standing, watching the proceedings with a soft smile. There was a moment of shock as everyone registered he was there before the children quickly jumped into their line, eldest to youngest, and bowed with a “Good afternoon, Aizen-sama.”



Grimmjow just scowled at the interruption to his lessons and the other adults bowed their heads but remained seated and silent on the ground. It was rare for him to come see them, but he did do it from time to time.



“Please, continue you lesson.”



Taka and Kinomi returned to facing each other and restarted the bout. At first they were a little nervous, but eventually they fell back into their usual training regime and forgot about anything other then each other, the bokken in their hands, and the orders Grimmjow was snapping at them.



When the bout ended and they bowed to each other, then their sensei, Aizen had already left. Shortly after Tosen arrived to inform them they were summoned to the throne room after dinner this evening.



The adults shared a look of concern, wondering what it was Aizen could possibly want and fearing that the time had finally come when he would be taking their children from them to raise in his own image.











“Okaasan, Otouji, is something wrong?” Kinomi asked worriedly.



Ever since Aizen-sama had visited them in the training room her mother and surrogate uncle had been rather silent. While not the sharpest knife in the kiddy drawer, that title went to Reina, Kinomi was by no means the dullest, that would be Taka.



“No, nothing dear.” Rukia was quick to assure her.



Kinomi didn’t fall for it but knew if her mother didn’t want to talk about it, then she wouldn’t. Grimm-ji was far easier to work with so she turned her attention to him.



“It’s nothing of any importance.” He answered before she could even ask.



With a resigned sigh she finished her meal before clearing the plates to the delivery cart and then waiting patiently for her reward. After a few minutes of Grimm-ji staring at her with a ‘what?’ expression, he finally chuckled and handed her ‘tera.



With a wide grin of delight she snatched the Zanpakuto from his hands and darted away, twirling about and hugging ‘tera tightly in glee. She heard her mother sigh and Grimm-ji chuckle at her antics.



“We do need to report in.” Her mother sighed.



“Sonido.” Kinomi instantly begged, looking up at Grimmjow expectantly.



“You know your Okassan can’t use it.” He pointed out to her.



“No.” She admitted sadly.



“You two go ahead. I can walk with Unohana.” Her mother smiled down at her.



“Yay.” Kinomi cheered.



She tied ’tera to her back before rushing over and climbing expertly up Grimmjow’s back until she was in position.

With a smirk he stepped out into the corridor, and then the world blurred by as he launched into Sonido, Kinomi screaming in excitement and begging for him to go faster. They were the first to arrive, but were followed quickly by the others.

Grimmjow had taken them the long way around to give the others time to arrive and to make the ride longer.

Reluctantly Kinomi let him pluck her off his back and set her down. Her mother joined them shortly and they entered the throne room together. She noticed Taka seemed to have a blade strapped to her back as well and was beaming brightly because of it.



Kinomi couldn’t help but to look around at the rather bare room, the only object that appeared to be in it was a throne rather high up off the ground that made the children have to crane their necks painfully to see Aizen. As usual Gin and Tosen were by his side.



The children lined up before their parents and once everyone was in position bowed and greeted their lord. Aizen smiled down at them and then stood up and came down to floor level, followed by his two shadows.



Kinomi sighed silently in relief as her neck was killing her trying to look that high up. He stopped before the youngest in the group, not including Leon or Rinascita as they were safely tucked away in thier mothers arms at just a few months old, little Azucena, now two.



He spoke to each of them in turn, asking about their lessons and how they were coming along. Reina boasted about her math and problem solving skills, as did Barbo. Taka boasted about her combat prowess while Galgo reported he preferred to sleep all day. Then he came to her.



“Pantera Kinomi-chan.” He smiled at her.



“Aizen-sama.” She bowed respectfully.



She didn’t trust him, never had. Something about him screamed false to her and the fact Grimm-ji was always disrespectful about him and her mother always had hate in her voice when talking about him slammed it home in her mind. This was a snake that make Gin-san look like a squirrel.



“How are your lessons going?” He asked sweetly.



“Very well, Aizen-sama. Otousan makes sure we practice everyday and Okaasan insist we learn our numbers and Kanji.” She answered truthfully.



“I have heard you and Taka-chan are becoming rather proficient in your swordsmanship.”



“Yes, Aizen-sama.” She admitted slowly, suspicion running through her blood at the comment and the fact Taka had a real blade on her back.



“I would greatly like to see you two spar with your real blades as opposed to the bokken you had used earlier.”



She heard her mother protest behind her, but it died rather quickly as Aizen raised his gaze from her to her mother.



“I would be delighted to, Aizen-sama.” She smiled and she didn’t have to fake the true joy in her voice.



She still felt like this was a trap of some sort, but she would never pass up the chance to spar with Taka or wield ‘tera. Everyone gave the two girls space as they squared off against each other as they had been trained to do for the last three years.



“Rules?” Kinomi asked.



“First to score fifty points wins.” Aizen answered.



Both girls nodded, bowed to him, bowed to each other, then began the match.



Only in the last few months had Grimmjow permitted them to use real blades on each other, training blades that were rather dull so they didn’t hurt each other too much when they hit.



She had never wielded ‘tera against Taka before but the feel of ‘tera was a million times more smooth than her training blade and a thousand times sharper. A glancing blow that would have just bounced off of clothing sliced cleanly through and left a cut. The same was for the blade Taka was using.



She ignored the small stab of pain the cuts on her flesh gave off and instead just enjoyed her dance with Taka. Cuts would heal and where hardly worth crying over. She would never cry, she was strong, as strong as Grimm-ji and she would make him proud of her.



She held back a bit though. After all if she followed through with a few of her attacks ‘tera would have seriously hurt Taka and she didn’t want that. If Taka was hurt there would be no one to spar with.



She was enveloped so much in the dance of blades that when Aizen called for them to halt it took her completely by surprise. Despite her shock at the interruption she was still able to parry the last strike Taka had swung at her, unable to stop her momentum.



Both girls, panting slight from exhaustion, bowed to each other before turning to bow towards him. Kinomi was the first to catch her breath and sheathed ‘tera, a smile of glee at the excellent fight.



“Very well done. Reina-chan, Galgo-kun, I would like to see you two next.”



The two looked shocked that they were expecting to spar. Neither one of them had ever held a blade before.



“Forgive me, Aizen-sama, but I regret to inform you I am inadequately trained to deliver such a performance.” Reina bowed respectfully.



“What did she say?” Taka asked Kinomi in a whisper.



“She said she can’t do it because she doesn’t know how.” Barbo translated.



Kinomi didn’t blame Taka for having to ask. What the hell did ‘Inadequately’ even mean and where had Reina learned such a word?



Aizen smiled amused at her comment, he apparently understood what Reina had said.



“I did not intend for you to spar with blades.”



Nodding, Reina and Galgo stepped forward. Kinmoi wasn’t sure but it sounded like they were playing some sort of word game. She wasn’t able to follow it anymore than Reina or Galgo could follow Taka or Herself with swords. Whatever game it was Aizen seemed pleased by the results.



He called his own son and Barbo up next. The two of them played a similar game and Kinomi found herself growing board as they were forced to stand there and listen to the word games.



Taka looked ready to pass out, either out of exhaustion from their sparing match, boredom or both Kinomi couldn’t tell. While she wasn’t interested in the word games she was at least still awake.



Finally Aizen seemed pleased and they were dismissed. She heard most of the adults sigh in relief. Kinomi was about to jump up onto Grimm-ji’s back so he could Sonido them back to their room when Aizen’s voice stopped them.



“Kinomi-chan, might you remain behind for a moment. I wish to see something.”



She turned back to face him, walking back to stand before the throne he had retaking.



“Yes, Aizen-sama.”



His gaze shifted from her to her ‘parents,’ informing them he would make sure she would make it home safe. It was a clear dismissal. She could feel the unpleased reiatsu from Grimm-ji and her mother wash over her, but they both did leave.



For the first time ever Kinomi was alone with Aizen and she did not like it in the least. She probably would have been trembling if not for the comforting weight and warmth coming from ‘tera, still sheathed across her back.



“I have the feeling you were not going full out against Taka-chan.” Aizen stated.



“No, Aizen-sama.” She admitted slowly, not sure where he was going with this.



"I truly wish to see your true skill. Will you show it to me?" He asked warmly.



"As you command, Aizen-sama. I would be honored to demonstrate." She bowed.



She heard the sound of gears shifting and turned about to see the floor opening and a cage rising up. She stared at the snarling hollow in the cage in sudden understanding. She drew ‘tera and was able to bring the Zanpakuto before her to block the things claws as the cage fell apart and it tore after her.



She instantly ignored everything else around her except this creature that seemed intent to kill her. While her mind was still slightly frozen her body responded as she had been trained. She was eventually able to overcoming the killing intent being levelled her way and start thinking on how she was going to win.



“Read the movements, look for an opening, know your strengths and your enemies weakness.” She recited as she parried another swipe of the hollows claws. “Intimidate, confuse, overpower, outmanoeuvre.” She continued the thoughts as she lashed out with ‘tera, pleased when the hollow howled in rage as three clawed fingers hit the ground.



Later she would probably be horrified at what she had done, but right now her fight or flight response was fully over and buried under the needle on the fight side. After the shock of the situation wore off she found her opponent seriously lacking compared to what Grimm-ji had put her through.



She didn’t hold back, but she didn’t go full out either. The hollow seemed to grow more enraged the longer she remained standing, and with that rage went its reasoning. She in retrospect calmed down and was playing to its rage, leading it in to leave wide open holes for ‘tera to slash through.



Before she knew it the creature was dead, disappearing as it faded away to rejoin the circle of life, or so her mother had told her happened to hollows when defeated. She stared in surprise as the events started to slowly register in her mind.



“Well done.” She heard Aizen compliment before dismissing her.



It was a strange sensation, like her mind was trapped in another’s body. She bowed to him respectfully and left, but it was not her. She was too young to understand what shock was or to recognize that she was in it.



She made it down the corridor and around the first corner before her brain and body meshed together again. She still had ‘tera in her hand and she looked down at the blood that covered her hands, wondering how it got there.



Then the pain hit her hard. She gasped and leaned against the wall as all the wounds the hollow had giving her made themselves knowing. She clutched her stomach and held back tears of agony.



She had killed. She had taken a life. That thought hit her hard next and it was far harder to hold the tears back. The pain she could take, but the knowledge she had taking a life was far harder to swallow.



She stumbled forward in a daze, leaning against the wall for support. She was hurt and some part of her that was still centered on survival knew she needed to get help soon as she was wounded.



‘tera was warm in her hand and Kinomi forced herself to concentrate on that warmth. ‘tera didn’t judge her and never would. She would not cry. She would be strong.



“Kinomi-chan?” A shocked voice broke her temporarily out of her daze and she turned her head to look into concerned ruby eyes. That was the last thing she remembered.











The sound of someone pounding on her door caused her to jump awake in shock, causing Stark to mutter annoyingly beside her. With a frown Unohana got out of bed and opened the door, barely moving aside as a whirlwind of white flew past her.



“Gin-sama.” She started, but stopped when she noticed he had set something onto the table and was leaving a trail of blood.



“She needs help.” He declared.



Puling herself together Unohana rushed to the table to see Kinomi laying on it, breathing heavily. The front of her uniform was wet with blood and her arms and face were also painted with the stuff.



“What happened?” Unohana asked as she quickly rushed to the bathroom to return with a pair of scissors and a first aid kit.



“Aizen had her fight a hollow.”



Unohana froze at the pronouncement, shocked that Aizen would stoop so low as to force a five year old girl to fight a hollow.



“She seemed fine when she left tha room.” He quickly defended when she shot him a look of pure rage that had been knowing to put even the Sotaichou back into a hospital bed.



She noticed his accent was getting thicker in distress and that the commotion had drawn Stark out of bed, but fortunately not the children.



“Help me here.” She ordered.



Gin merely nodded and helped her cut Kinomi’s cloths away to reveal the deep wound in her stomach, the pink of intestines showing. Gin’s eyes widened in horror at the sight and if he was right Unohana wondered how in the seven hells Kinomi had managed to walk out of the room.



“There should be more blood.” She noted.



“Okaasan, what’s all the noise.” Taka’s sleepy voice interrupted her.



“Okaasan is busy. Why don’t you read me a story?” Stark was quick to cut in, scooping their daughter up and bringing her back into the children’s room before the young girl could see her best friends guts glistening on their dinner table.



Unohana sent him a silent thank you for handling the situation before it could become one. Panicked children was not what this situation needed right now.



“You said there should be more blood.” Gin inquired.



“Yes.” Unohana frowned.



The wound was deep enough that it should have been near fatal. In fact Kinomi should be in the infirmary, not on a dinner table. The tools she would need to fix the wound did not exist in this room and she said as much.



Gin nodded and moved to pick her up again, pausing only to pry Pantera from Kinomi’s hands.



The moment the blade was free blood began to gush out and Kinomi started to scream. The two adults shared a look of shock before Gin quickly returned Pantera to Kinomi’s hands. The blood seepage slowed and she whimpered pathetically, tying to curl up.



“Infirmary, Now.” Unohana commanded.



Gin didn’t argue. He picked Kinomi up and they both raced towards the infirmary. The arrancar on duty looked up at them in surprise when they burst through the door. Gin set Kinomi down on an empty bed and Unohana quickly started to call out for the items she would need.



She didn’t pay attention who was handing her the items, only that they reached her hand and other hands held whatever she told them to. Once the wounds was closed she started to heal the best she could, almost freezing in shock when she felt another reiatsu slowly retreat from her own intrusion.



It explained why Kinomi hadn’t bled to death. The reiatsu was holding her body together. If she had time Unohana would have looked further into this and where the reiatsu was coming from, but as it was she had a little girls life to save.











Warmth. She was floating on a bed of warmth that held her softly. The familiar feel like that of a safety blanket wrapped around her. Slowly it faded away and as it did so the pain returned.



The pain she could deal with. Grimm-ji had trained her well and pain was just the bodies way of saying ‘hay, this parts damaged, fix it already.’ It was the memories that came back to her that hurt the most.



Blood, so much of it flying. The horrid scream of the hollow as it attacked and the far more horrid sound it had made as ‘tera’s blade had sliced through its flesh, blood spurting out to coat her arms.



She felt tears prickle her eyes at the knowledge she had taken a life. Even knowing that the soul was now free to be reborn did little to ease her mind.



She felt a soft presence beside her and blinked watery eyes open to see Unohana staring down at her, a look of worry on her face. The room was unfamiliar and it took her a moment to realize that she was now covered in bandages.



‘tera was still in her hand and she looked down at the Zanpakuto, feeling the warmth coming form the blade as usual, easing her heart and mind.



“Kinomi-chan, how do you feel?” Unohana asked softly.



Looking around Kinomi noticed they appeared to be alone. A single tear escaped, followed by a second. Before she knew it Unohana had her in her motherly arms and was rocking her slowly as she sobbed brokenly.



It wasn’t long after she was done that she felt the familiar feel of her Otouji’s reiatsu coming storming towards them. All in his path were quick to move aside in terror, but to Kinomi it was perhaps one of the most welcoming feelings she had ever felt as he stormed in and demanded to know how she was doing, her Okassan right behind him with a look of pain on her face.



In a flash she was in her mothers arms as Rukia checked her over, assuring herself that Kinomi was fine. Grimm-ji was pacing in outrage as Unohana explained to her parents what she knew of the situation in a soft, calm tone.



Kinomi didn’t hear much of it. All she knew was that her Okaasan and Otouji were here now and everything was going to be okay. She drifted back into sleep on that warm blanket that was wrapped firmly around her, keeping her safe and making her forget all about blood, hollows, and death.











Stay tuned for the real last chapter: Rescue



Where everything will be wrapped up neatly in a bow until part 2, honestly, I swear.



Names: None are in Japanese so I will let you know what they mean so you don;t go crazy looking them up.

Azucena: Lily. I thought it was fitting giving her mothers name ;) It\'s spanish, fitting with the arrancar theme.

Rinascita: Rebirth. Her\'s is a secret, a very long one.

Leon: Lion. Also Spanish fitting with the arrancar theme.





I must admit I was beyond shocked when a chapter meant to be enjoyed as more or less just smut ended up with the most reviews, many of them from people concerned about the ramifications the events would have on Ichigo and Rukia\'s relationship. I was beyond surprise that out of the whole chapter that was all most people cared about.



Perhaps there was confusion over my stating it wouldn\'t effect Rukia and Ichigo\'s relationship in the notes. The comment was meant to assure people the story was not going to go from Ichigo/Rukia to Grimmjow/Rukia. As stated before she views him in a similar manner to Renji; and you can bet that if those two were locked in a room and ordered to breed or die they would do it as well; and you could probably make a fortune on the ticket sales. So if that was the case my fault for the confusion.



I also got a feeling from the nature of some of the reviews people forgot about the dimensional barrier Aizen had put up locking people out of Hueco Mundo shortly after Grimmjow had brought Rukia to the living world. If Rukia failed the tests you can bet Aizen would have reassigned her. They chose the lesser of two evils and in the end only slept together a total of 8 times. The others suffered that much in 8 days let alone 5-6 years.



Before anyone trips on a plot hole; Aizen \'punctured\' the barrier to let Toshiro out on his hunts and with out knowledge on when or where these events would happen Soul Society would have no way of capitalizing on it. I believe Aizen would easily be able to come up with something that would take Urahara and Kurotsuchi a while to bust through, he is damn smart after all.



I also view Gin and Rangiku\'s relationship as more of a brother/sister thing, like Toshiro/Momo, although Isane would not know the true nature and was only assuming. The scene was meant to be enjoyed as a gift for everyone who wanted to see Gin get some and like I said was added at the last minute, with sprinkles.