Ichigo reached out with the faintest of smiles, his resolve unwavering and he let out a soft whisper, "Kurosaki Ichigo."
There was a flash of brilliant crimson.
"How's he doing?" He said as he approached the bed. Sirzechs watched on as his wife wiped his newest Pawn's brow with a wet towel.
Grayfia did not look up and continued looking after the boy. "The change is gradual but, it is happening."
He caught a glimpse of her face and saw that her lips turned in a frown. He didn't say anything and walked over to a large window. He leaned his back against the glass and craned his neck to look at the two moons in the Underworld sky.
After a moment, his wife called out to him. "Sirzechs?"
"Hmm," he intoned as he looked over at her. She was looking at him while gently brushing the youth's hair back.
'Lucky brat,' Sirzechs though with a twinge of amusement. 'Looks like Grayfia found another kid to fuss over…and she hasn't even properly met him yet!'
"Why hasn't he changed yet? The transformation should have been immediate."
Sirzechs put on a thoughtful look before returning to look at the moons. "Tell me Grayfia, do you know the difference between a warrior and a soldier."
"Huh?" Obviously she was startled by the abrupt change in subject. "Ichigo-kun is a soldier. He fights to protect. Devils…by nature…are a warrior race. We fight to conquer."
He looked back at his wife and gave her smile. "Right now, he is in a desperate battle in his very soul. Trying to find the path he needs to walk."
"Did you know this would be happening?" She asked sternly.
"Not in the least," he laughed. "Imagine my surprise when he slumps forward in front of me in the middle of a coffee shop. Half the humans were looking at me as if it were my fault."
"Technically speaking, it was your fault, Lord Sirzechs" She fixed him with a glare. "And what have I told you about making a scene in public?"
"Hey, hey" Sirzech said. "I don't want my maid. I want to speak to my wife."
"You will get the chance to speak with her when she decides that you've grown up."
"But Grayfia," he said, reverting to a childlike demeanor. "I love you so much! Why won't you reciprocate my love?!"
"Sirzechs-sama," Grayfia glowered as she gained a tick mark. Faster than she could see, Sirzechs appeared behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "It's not fair how tender you were being with Ichigo-kun and how cold you're now being wi-uff!"
Grayfia cut off his childish rant by slamming her elbow into her master's gut. "Behave yourself Lord Sirzechs. There is a child in the room with us."
Sirzechs snorts and, regardless of his wife's warning, entwined his arms around her once more.
"He's no more of a child than we are," Sirzechs said while he let a hint of sadness creep into his voice.
He smiled slightly when he was rewarded with his wife leaning into him gingerly. "He will make a good addition to the family?"
"The very best. Ichigo-kun is the type to rewrite fate if it means protecting his loved ones."
Grayfia gave a hum of approval in his arms. "And you know what else? I don't think Ichigo is trying to find a path right now."
Shifting his gaze towards his newest pawn, Sirzechs allowed the faintest of smiles to drift to his lips.
"No…he's more the type to forge one."