Disclaimer: Bleach is property of Kubo Tite. I own nothing.
Author's Note: Hey, everyone! This one-shot was supposed to be published on Mother's Day last year, but after a fight with my mom I didn't have the energy to complete it. Today, almost a year later, it's finally done. It also happens to concide with prompt 4 of the IchiRuki month, family. Well, I hope you enjoy it. Also, happy early Mother's Day to all the moms in here and to your own mothers.
See ya!
Note: Can be considered a direct sequel to my fanfic Right Where We Are but it's not necessary to read it first.
Unsuited
This cannot be happening. She must be late, or, at least, Rukia prays she is only late. This is not a one-time occurrence either, she has been through this situation before, and so there is no need to worry about it, right? Yet, her mind tells her it is not the same, because in other occasions she had lost so much blood in battles that, as explained by members of the Fourth Squad, her body simply couldn't afford to lose more blood in her monthly visit. However, she has not lost any blood whatsoever, she hasn't even been in fierce battles recently, and now ─as opposed to before─ she has a very hot husband that has kept her up most every night for the past two months or so. Ahem, moving on, Rukia cannot wrap her mind on what being late entails. She is definitely not ready for that.
"Rukia, is everything okay?"
Ichigo's voice interrupts her thoughts and keeps her from having a panic attack.
"Yeah, I'm coming."
Rukia gets out of the bathroom, ignoring her husband's questioning look.
"What took you so long?" He asks before going in himself.
"Women take longer in the bathroom, you should know, you have sisters." Rukia answers him, mocking him in the process.
Ichigo gets annoyed at his wife. She has always liked to make fun of him. Rolling his eyes, he finally enters the bathroom. "Yeah, yeah. Anyway, hurry up or we'll be late for work."
Rukia nods absentmindedly, returning to her thoughts. She must have miscalculated, because, what are the chances of her being pregnant
A full week has gone by and Rukia still has not had her period yet. Finally, the shinigami starts accepting the fact that she might become a mother soon. She weighs the cons and pros of having a child. The pro is basically the fact that it would be a person half Ichigo and half herself, a living proof of their love for each other. The cons all include the fact that she might be a terrible mother. Rukia thinks she is unsuited for the part, since she never had a mother and had to grow by herself. Her work as captain of the Thirteenth Squad is also an unsuitable work for a mother. She does not think she could handle the responsibility of being captain and mother at the same time. It wouldn't be fair to her child and the shinigami under her. Not to mention that her child probably would have to grow under the vigilance of the Kuchiki Clan elders, who are always harsh and cold towards everyone. And then, there's Ichigo… Oh God, what would Ichigo think?
It is sitting on their shared futon with a lost look on her face that Ichigo finds his wife. He raises an eyebrow at her expression and silently sits next to her. He gently touches her shoulder, with a soft "hey", which manages to take her out of her reverie.
"Ichigo?" Rukia says, focusing her eyes on her husband.
"Yeah, it's me, who were you expecting?" He mutters sarcastically, while Rukia rolls her eyes. "Hey, are you alright?"
The shinigami internally panics. "M-me? Of course I'm alright, Ichigo. Why wouldn't I be?" She stutters ─which is so uncharacteristic of her─ making Ichigo question the truthfulness of her statement.
"If you say so, but I know there's something on your mind. Look, if you don't wanna tell me, it's fine. Just know you can always count on me."
His words melt Rukia's heart, who doesn't know why she's always so surprised of how caring Ichigo can be, she has known that since they met. Swallowing the lump that suddenly formed in her throat, she nods and smiles.
Ichigo smiles back, and lays down on the futon, ready to get some well-deserved sleep. Rukia imitates him, and lays next to him.
"Ichigo?" She says out of the blue.
"Yeah?" He whispers.
"How was it like having a mother?" Rukia blurts out before she can stop herself.
An awkward silence follows, and Rukia is sure she has just made a huge mistake. Kurosaki Masaki has always been a difficult topic for Ichigo, much like Kaien-dono is for her. She had never asked Ichigo about his mother before, being faithful to the words she spoke to him a long time ago, "When you want to talk, when you think it's okay to talk… Talk to me. Until that time, I'll wait." This was a first.
Unexpectedly, Ichigo starts speaking, thus breaking the silence. "I think I've said this before, but my mom was like the sun. My whole family revolved around her. She filled our lives with light. I… well, she was important to me. The person I wanted to protect the most. I used to be a crybaby, but my mom's presence made everything better.
"Anyway, I don't know how if everyone feels the same about their mothers, I think not, but for me being with my mom was like being in a dream, where everything was sunny, and I didn't have to fear."
Rukia looks at him in wonder. This is the first time he has revealed so much about his mother. She had always been sure Masaki had got to have been an angel of some sort, for, years after her death, her children and husband still loved her.
"Why did you ask?" He smiles down at her, and Rukia's breath hitches in her throat.
"No reason. Just curiosity." She lies, and she's sure Ichigo knows it, but doesn't pry.
"Alright. If that's all, let's sleep, I'm so tired. I fucking hate paperwork." He mutters, and Rukia laughs. She relaxes in his embrace and goes to sleep almost instantly.
Ichigo watches her sleep, with a frown. He knows Rukia could be curious about mothers since she never had one, but something tells him there's more to it. He can wait until she tells him, though. With that in mind, he closes his eyes and falls asleep.
The following day, Rukia is still period-less, and worried. After hearing about Ichigo's mother, she's sure she can never be like that. She's not that pure, or loving. She has too emotional baggage to be a perfect mother. But whatever. She's just late, she keeps telling herself. There's no way a baby's on the way. With this in mind, she keeps on doing her paperwork. Ichigo's right, it's a pain in the ass. The captain finishes everything she had to do, and before she can call Kiyone or Sentarou to deliver the paperwork, both run to her.
"Captain! Captain!" They yell at the same time, and Rukia can only raise an eyebrow.
"What is it?" She calmly asks.
"Inoue-san is here!" They proclaim seconds before said girl walks into her office.
The girl is not a girl anymore, Rukia notes, she's a woman now. Inoue, ─or should she call her Ishida now?─ has grown so much from the 15 year old teen she was when they met. Her auburn hair is still long, and her brown eyes still sparkle with innocence, but all the baby fat is gone along with her insecurities. Her curves are even more womanly now, specially the baby bump….
"Inoue?!" Rukia exclaims when she notices something that wasn't there the last time they saw each other.
"Surprise." Orihime says sheepishly, a hand tenderly caressing her belly.
"Here, take a seat." Rukia immediately makes her friend sit and rest, all the while looking at her as if she had grown out two heads. She shoots Kiyone and Sentarou another look, and they are out of the door in seconds.
"Stop looking at me like that, Rukia-san, it makes me feel embarrassed." The human complains, as her cheeks turns a lovely shade of pink.
"Do you want tea or water? I can order food too if you want." The shinigami catches herself, and tries to be polite, inwardly cursing herself for gawking.
"No, no, it's okay." Orihime shakes her head.
"How? What? I mean…" Rukia gives in and asks. She has been too curious lately.
Orihime simply laughs. "I'm sure you know how, Rukia-san."
It's Rukia's turn to blush. "What I meant to say is, how long have you been pregnant?"
"I'm almost five months now." She says as she rubs her stomach lovingly. "I would've come sooner, but Uryuu-kun didn't want me moving around too much during the first trimester. Tatsuki-chan was also against me coming here to tell you. Those two have become mother hens." The young captain can see that picture. She's even feeling apprehensive now.
"I'm surprised Ishida even let you come alone, now." She comments, looking for his familiar reiatsu.
"Uryuu-kun is here too. He's at the Eighth Squad visiting Kurosaki-kun. He's probably telling him now." The news bothers Rukia because she hadn't been able to detect their reiatsu.
"That's great. So… how are you, Inoue?" She looks adoringly at the young woman in front of her. Over the years Rukia had developed a soft spot for her.
"Don't be so formal, Rukia-san, just call me Orihime. And I've been good, well, the best I've ever felt in my life, actually. Just knowing Uryuu-kun and I have created a life together, is enough to make me feel so happy."
It's in that moment that Rukia knows she has never admired someone as much as Ishida Orihime in her life. Somehow, even after seeing horror after horror, she has remained pure, untouched by the unfairness of the world. She has kept on being optimist and wishing the best for everyone.
"Aren't you scared?" She has to ask, because Rukia is losing her mind thinking about the possibility of being in Orihime's place.
"I was when I found out, and I still am. I don't really remember my parents, since my brother was the one who raised me. I don't know how to be a mother, but Uryuu-kun has told me that I have motherly instincts, that we develop further when the baby's born. Actually, I think I'd be more frightened if he weren't here for me. Just knowing I won't do this alone makes me feel a thousand times better."
In her time, Rukia had heard comments about Orihime being the most beautiful woman ever, but they all always had related to her body. She had always found those comments disgusting. But now, seeing her there glowing, Rukia feels like Orihime, indeed, is the most beautiful woman in the world.
"I'm so happy for you." She simply says.
Orihime's eyes fill with tears. "Thank you."
Rukia tends to run away from overly emotional situations, so she quickly changes the topic. "Has this been an easy pregnancy?"
"Well, now it is, but the first three months were awful. I couldn't eat anything without throwing up. I couldn't even think about my deluxe vanilla ice cream, bean paste, barbecue, with onions and mango grilled cheese sandwich without turning green."
Rukia turns green right in that moment.
Curse Orihime and her weird food tastes.
Later that day, she's watching Renji and Ichigo spar. Fools, she thinks when she sees them arguing about whether or not Ichigo had cheated. To her right, Orihime looks amused, and next to her, Ishida looks like the vein on his forehead is about to pop. Ishida has spent almost an hour telling the idiots that are her best friend and husband to be careful, for his pregnant wife is around. Of course, his words fell on deaf ears, and here they are.
"You cheated, bastard!"
"How many times do I have to tell you I didn't cheat?! You were distracted!"
"Yeah, right!"
Rukia sighs for what it feels like the 100th time in just five minutes. Fed up with this useless argument, she decides to intervene. She stands up and walks directly to the fools, noticing that the Ishidas' eyes never leave her figure. Once she's right there next to them, she proceeds to slap the back of their heads.
"Rukia!" They both exclaim, annoyed at her. But she's more annoyed.
"This is so stupid, and I'm tired of having to hear your constant yapping." She rolls her eyes. "Renji." She turns to the red-head. "Ichigo didn't cheat, you were distracted."
Ichigo smirks at Renji, who just fumes. The shinigami thinks it's not fair. Of course Rukia would think Ichigo's right, they're married. But the truth should be independent of such bonds.
"I did not!" He exclaims infuriated. Next to him, Rukia doesn't even look startled, as if she were expecting him to blow up in anger.
"The evidence suggests the contrary. Why would Ichigo cheat if he's so strong?" Rukia simply states, raising Ichigo's ego, while knocking out Renji's in one blow.
"Because he wanted to look cool!" Renji sees his childhood friend rolling her eyes again.
"You know what? This isn't up for discussion. You lost, fair and square." She massages her head, wishing Renji would just shut up.
"No way! Why would I lose?" He keeps fighting, and everyone else can see that he won't win against Rukia.
"Because you always get distracted and leave your right open."
"So lil' Rukia has memorized my movements, huh?"
Everyone can feel that a full on argument is waiting to explode.
"It's not like I've memorized them, it's just that you continuously make the same mistake. If you keep this up, even a rookie could defeat you." She explains matter-of-factly.
That does it for Renji.
"So if you think I'm so pathetic, why don't you fight me and we'll see if I get distracted again?" Abarai Renji, no doubt due to the Eleventh's influence, is prone to start fights just to defend his wounded ego, he likes to call pride.
Any other day, Rukia would have stuck Sode No Shirayuki up Renji's ass in a minute, and would not have even apologized. But the thing is this is not any other day, and Rukia knows that if what she suspects is true, then she's in a bad position to fight. She won't even be able to fight in a long while. The choice is clear.
"Sorry, but I have no interest in demonstrating what everyone else knows it's true. I have better things to do with my day, thank you very much." With this, she walks away with Orihime and Ishida, leaving behind two dumfounded shinigami.
Kurosaki Rukia, née Kuchiki, had never in her life backed down from one of Renji's dares.
"What the fuck is wrong with your goddamn wife?" Renji exclaims once Rukia is out of earshot.
Ichigo, who in any other day would have defended Rukia's honor, doesn't berate his friend for badmouthing his wife. He simply whispers, "I don't know."
The hero of the Soul Society comes to the conclusion this has to do with whatever Rukia's been keeping from him. And whatever it is, it's no doubt something wrong for her to act like this.
He swears to get to the bottom of it.
Rukia fears the beginning of a headache is coming, when Kurosaki Isshin, her father-in-law, walks into her office. With a cry of "Third Daughter!", he gives her one of his trademark bone crushing hugs, which leaves her slightly breathless. She awkwardly pats the back of the man, listening to his sobs about how much he loves her, and how he misses her, and how he wishes his idiot son would take her to visit soon. After pulling away, she prepares tea for both of them.
"You look radiant, Rukia-chan." He says once they are sipping their tea, and Rukia smiles, though she doesn't let his words fool her.
Since she declined Renji's dare yesterday, Ichigo has been insufferable. He stormed in their house last night and demanded an explanation. Apparently not being in the mood had not been a satisfying answer for him, and he had pestered her until she stormed out of their house. Sometime later, Orihime had called her to her cell phone, asking if she was alright. Apparently, Ichigo had called her and Ishida and asked about her behavior. Though both hadn't noticed anything out of normal, Ichigo hadn't stopped. To make matters worse, she had realized earlier that morning that, somehow, news had broken out that she wasn't feeling well. From Rangiku-san to Hisagi, and even rank-less shinigami had asked her if she was alright all morning. Isane had told her that she could check her health anytime. Hanatarou had grabbed her hands and said that, if she ever needed anything, she could ask him for help. Kiyone and Sentarou had even received her with a bottle of sake, and had asked her if she was having marital problems. Urahara and Yoruichi-san had gone as far as to send her a fruit basket all the way from Karakura with a "feel better" card. Rukia had sworn after the basket incident she'd kill both Renji and Ichigo for spreading rumors.
Rukia believes it plausible for Ichigo to have called his father, whining about her. It was very likely that Isshin had decided to take the matter into his own hands. And here they are, sipping tea in her office.
"Thank you." She says, and tries very hard to pretend nothing is amiss. But Isshin is shrewder than he appears to be.
"I still remember when my wonderful Masaki looked as radiant as you have." He whispers longingly. "It happened twice, actually." He adds, taking in each of Rukia's reactions.
"Masaki-san was a very beautiful woman." Rukia comments politely.
"That she was. So beautiful and pure, she didn't belong to any of these three worlds." He says, his eyes taking that far away look Ichigo sometimes has. "You're beautiful too, Rukia-chan." He tells her, boring his eyes into hers.
She blushes. "Thank you."
"My son made a great decision when he decided to marry you. Took him long enough, too. He should've married you the moment he met you." His words make Rukia blush in embarrassment.
"I think Ichigo was too young back then." She replies politely.
"Bah! Excuses!" He scoffs in a very funny way, which makes Rukia chuckle. "But I'm not here to talk about my idiot son."
Straight to the point.
"So what are you here for?" She doesn't beat around the bush either. This is something Isshin likes about her.
"You know that I'm a doctor in Karakura, right?" He asks and she simply nods. "In all my years of expertise I've seen women glowing in a way that makes them a hundred times more beautiful. My Masaki used to glow that way too. But, Rukia-chan, this is the first time I see you glow in this way."
Ah, so he had figured it out even before Ichigo. Well, her husband is an oblivious moron through and through. There's no way he could have figured it out before his father, or anyone else.
Rukia, in all Kuchiki fashion, decides to play aloofness.
"I don't see what you're getting at, father."
Isshin raises an eyebrow. His third daughter is a tough cookie, but he can handle her. "You don't? Well, let me give you a hint. Masaki looked just like you do when she was pregnant with Ichigo, and then with the twins."
She sighs. "I'm not sure yet." Though the probabilities of being with child increase day after day.
"I'm a doctor." He says yet anything, implying he is sure of that.
"I'm scared." She blurts out. She suddenly feels safe knowing that she can share her secret with someone.
Isshin pulls her into another hug, rubbing her back soothingly. "It's a normal reaction. I was scared too. But everything's going to be okay."
"What do I do?" She asks, her voice muffled by Isshin's back.
"Well, firstly you tell Ichigo."
She wants to argue, but knows he's right, so she merely nods. "Then you go to the Fourth Squad and get checked. And that's it."
He made everything sound so easy. "How do I tell Ichigo?"
"Well, go straight to the point. My child is so oblivious it'd take him months to figure it out if you give him hints only. You have to be clear."
"Do you think he'll be happy about it?" She starts voicing his fears one after another.
Isshin chuckles. "My dear, he'll be more than happy. He loves you very much, and he will love this child too. He's my son, after all." At his words, Rukia starts to smile.
"Do you think I'll be a good mother?"
Isshin makes her look into his eyes. "The fact that you're worried about it, tells me you'll be an amazing mother."
Tears form in Rukia's eyes and she hugs her father-in-law yet again.
"Masaki would have loved you." He whispers into her ear.
Ichigo had told her those same words a couple of times before. But being told by Masaki's own husband, made them more meaningful.
"Thank you."
"You two will be fine, Rukia. I'm sure."
Isshin is not worried about the future. He knows that his son and daughter-in-law will make great parents. He's just excited at the prospect of becoming a grandfather.
He can't wait to meet the baby.
Rukia does not have the energy to have dinner with Ichigo. She's too nervous, and knows that if she's around him, she'll just spill the beans. She wants to prepare herself before telling him anything. So Rukia decides to have dinner with her brother.
If Byakuya is surprised to see her, he doesn't show it. He just nods at her and orders food for two. Rukia asks him about his day, and he recounts that he has forbidden Renji of teaching a Kidou class, ever. Rukia shakes her head at her friend's idiocy. They eat in a comfortable silence.
"Rukia." Byakuya's call startles her.
"Yes, nii-sama?"
"The news that you were feeling bad reached my ears, and I wanted to make sure you were fine." Rukia is definitely going to skin Renji and Ichigo.
"No, I'm fine. Ichigo's just overreacting." She sips her tea, hoping the conversation dies then.
"It was Renji who mentioned it." It takes all of Rukia's will not to roll her eyes.
"Apparently declining to spar with him made Renji think something's wrong with me. But I assure you, nii-sama, that I'm fine."
Byakuya looks as impassive as ever, but Rukia detects a hint of annoyance in his eyes. Her brother had probably spent all day worrying about her for something as silly as not fighting. She really pities Renji for what Byakuya undoubtedly do to him tomorrow.
"I am glad."
They fall in to a comfortable silence that Rukia decides to break out of nowhere.
"Actually, I need to do something, but I'm scared of the outcome."
Her openness is a first in her relationship with Byakuya. They rarely have heart-to-hearts, and more often than not, they take place in life or death situations. Kuchiki Byakuya is understandingly surprised, but he says nothing.
Rukia just continues speaking, fearing her courage will fade if she doesn't. "I know it's silly, but all I can think of is all the terrible scenarios that can happen."
Byakuya listens to his sister intently, having the feeling she's not sharing all of the story. He figures she has her reasons, and he decides to respect them by not prying. He's not Kurosaki Isshin.
"It will be fine." He says. "I am sure you will find a way to overcome this situation, whatever it is."
"Thank you, nii-sama."
Byakuya then does something that is totally out of character for him. He actually smiles. "Just remember that whatever the outcome, I will always be proud of you."
The tears she had been keeping at bay the whole day finally fall. "Nii-sama…" She whispers, and then she briefly hugs him. "Thank you."
Her conversation with her brother gave her the last ounce of resolve she needed to tell Ichigo. With a merry step, she walks towards her house. Ichigo is probably fuming right now, and the moment she arrives, he'll probably attack her with questions. The picture makes her snort. Just before opening her door, she looks around making sure no one's around.
She places a hand over her stomach. "Well, it's time to tell daddy the news."
She opens the door, and before Ichigo can even speak, she starts talking. "Ichigo, there's something I have to tell you."
Nine months later, they welcome a beautiful baby boy, with orange hair and indigo eyes.
A/N: I apologize for any grammatical errors. I didn't have time to edit this.