In the past two weeks, Byakuya made the walk to the recently designed nursery a total of four times to visit the new addition to the household. On any other day, the stroll down the hall was simple, but during this particular time it felt like a daunting task that was taking hours off his life instead of a couple of minutes.

With his eyes closed, Byakuya walked step by step with his grandfather. Their strides were identical, resembling the rituals performed most commonly with those in the armed forces. Occasionally, the young captain opened his eyes and looked at the stern expression on the face of his elder. He hoped he didn't wear a look of disdain when he grew older in age.

The sliding door to the nursery was open an inch allowing a glimpse inside. Placing his hand between the door frame and the wall, Ginrei pushed his way in and walked toward the center of the room. His eyes absorbed the color pattern and décor that covered every inch of the nursery. There were silk pink curtains aligned in the windows, a large round pink carpet in the center of the room, and pink paint covering each of the four walls. He couldn't recall seeing so much pink in the interior of his home.

Noticing Ginrei's perplexing look, Byakuya provided a swift response. "It is Hisana's favorite color."

Ginrei grunted at the explanation and drew his attention to the small bundle moving inside the bassinet in the far right corner of the room. He leaned forward and watched the young infant as she held her arms up toward him in a sign of affection. Ginrei moved Rukia's arm aside and studied the features not obscured by the pink blanket she was swaddled in.

"She has the same color eyes as your wife, purple with a light touch of blue." He slowly lifted the lining of the pink cap on her head. "Her hair is black like Hisana's as well. What did she inherit from you?"

"My last name."

The elder Kuchiki member chuckled at his grandson's witty remark and placed his hands beneath Rukia's body. He pulled back and supported the infant's neck and shoulder against his left forearm. He rocked her gently as she cooed incoherently in his arms.

"Despite her appearance, she has royal blood coursing through her veins and that's all that matters."

Byakuya turned away from the joyful expression on his grandfather's face. He couldn't help but wonder how the Kuchiki elder would react if he knew the truth…

Two Weeks Ago…

The straw sandals worn by the sixth squad captain hit the pavement with force as he raced through the Seireitei as quickly as he could. He took hold of his sword and ran his thumb against the hilt. His eyes bore a mixed look of anger and worry but that was only his outward appearance. On the inside he felt fear unlike anything he ever felt in his life. He could feel the energy of his wife fluctuating which caused his resolve to break.

Picking up the pace, Byakuya's eyes narrowed at the sight of one of the main entrances on the south side of the Seireitei. Glancing to the right, he locked eyes with the gate guardian whose sole purpose was to protect the area from intruders. He had little regard for the rules of the soul society. His only concern was reaching his ailing spouse.

"Open the gate!" he ordered while closing in on the only obstacle standing between him and his wife.

The guardian stood in awe at the sight of a captain nearing the gate he was in charge of. He had to contemplate whether or not the image of a squad leader was factual or a mirage.

"I cannot open the gate. I need permission from the head captain before I can comply with your command."

Byakuya shook his head as he reminded himself to deal a severe blow to the gate guardian for his insolence. As swiftly as he could, Byakuya disappeared then reappeared above the protective gate. He glanced at the gate keeper one final time with contempt in his eyes then vanished into the Rukon district.

Although his steps were slow throughout the grounds of the Rukon district, Byakuya walked with purpose while viewing the homes that sat on the outskirts of the Seireitei. It was a far cry from the large house he inherited but it didn't mean he had no respect for those who resided in the area. He could fondly remember racing through the streets after the only person who constantly tried his patience. It was during one of those same instances that he met her, the woman he knew he would spend the rest of his life with.

Five years after the nuptial agreement he could not guarantee that he would gain a sixth year by his wife's side thanks to her illness.

Feeling his wife's energy fluctuate again, Byakuya hurried toward the source of her distress. He rounded a sharp corner which led him into a narrow pathway. He paused momentarily as he noticed a person hidden beneath a hooded shawl kneeling on all fours. The familiar energy pulsated from the hooded individual informing him of who he had ultimately run into.

"Hisana," he began while gently placing the palm of his right hand on her back. "Why did you come here in your condition?"

Hisana's body heaved up and down at the sudden touch from her husband. Her right arm was clutched tightly against her body while the fingers on her left hand clawed at the ground helplessly.

"Hisana…" Byakuya pleaded as he addressed his wife adoringly. "…are you hurt?"
Beneath the hooded cloth, Hisana coughed and struggled to regain her composure.

Byakuya had seen enough. His wife's condition was growing worse and she was in no position to stay outside of their home away from medical care. Rising on his feet, he extended his right hand toward hers.

Lifting her head to view her spouse's gesture, Hisana held her left hand out and pressed her palm against his. As she rose to her feet, Byakuya's eyes enlarged at the surprising bundle held against her right arm. His body shook with confusion as he released Hisana's hand.

He couldn't take his eyes off the bundle secured in a ragged tan cloth in his wife's arms. Countless thoughts emerged as he contemplated whether or not his vision was playing tricks on him. His legs retreated backwards, creating a gap between him and Hisana. At that moment his concern for her health faded leaving behind misperception over what clearly looked like a baby in her arms.

"What is the meaning of this?" he questioned, although he was unsure he wanted to know the reasoning behind the bundle she was supporting close to her body.

Hisana lowered her head and studied the sleeping infant in her arms. She imagined how the situation looked from her husband's perspective.

"Byakuya-sama," she spoke in a soft tone. "Please don't be upset with me."

Hearing the nature of her voice Byakuya closed his eyes and inhaled a deep breath. Pressing his lips together he exhaled and reopened his eyes, keeping them on the cradled infant in her arms.

"Whose child is this?"

Hisana lowered her eyes momentarily then lifted her head so she could directly address her spouse with eye contact.

"She's my younger sister. I've been looking for her for the past three days."

Byakuya was more than surprised at his wife's confession. A look of relief flashed behind his gray eyes. He trusted his wife but he couldn't help but contemplate where the infant came from. He questioned his wife's faithfulness and was glad she could be exonerated of mothering a child with another man. Despite that, however, there were still questions that needed to be answered.

"Why didn't you tell me you had a sister and that you've been looking for her for three days now? When have you been looking for her?"

Hisana heaved a sigh. "While you've been at the sixth squad barracks tending to your daily duties, I've been walking through the Rukon district searching for her."

Byakuya's jaw clenched momentarily but he soon relaxed and listened to his wife's tale. He wasn't too happy hearing his wife was disappearing in the middle of the day while he was at work, but he could understand the reasoning behind it.

"Hisana-" He was unsure how to continue the conversation. "I have so many questions."

Hisana nodded. "Yes, I can imagine." She brought her left palm to her lips and coughed. "You should know everything."

He wanted to know the story in its entirety but Byakuya knew that regardless of the information regarding her sister, at the end of the day, his wife's illness was still his main concern. He walked toward her, his legs now stronger than when he first noticed the infant.

"Let's go home. We can talk about it then."

Hisana coughed and nodded her head as she felt her husband gently remove her sister from against her arm. She watched as he now supported the infant in his right arm just as she had done previously. With her right arm free, she pressed the palm of her hand against her forehead. A sudden rush of nausea overwhelmed her and she hastily collapsed onto her knees and expelled a rush of vomit onto the street.

Byakuya knelt down immediately, careful not to drop the child he now held in his possession. He turned his body away from his wife so his back now faced her. Reaching behind him he gently took hold of her left arm and draped it over his left shoulder. His intentions were clear.

Getting the hint, Hisana weakly dragged her body toward her husband and brought her right arm against his right shoulder. She pressed her body against his, burying her face against the back of his neck. Her breathing was labored. Her energy was growing weaker.

Pressing the palm of his left hand on the underside of his wife's left thigh, Byakuya rose to his feet and steadied his balance with the new additions he found himself carrying. His concern continued to grow as he felt his wife tremble against his back. Although he did not want to wake the sleeping infant, he also knew he needed to arrive home as soon as possible for his companion's sake.

He walked slowly, careful not to jolt the child or his wife. Feeling the tip of Hisana's nails pressed against his skin through his haori and standard soul reaper uniform gave him a relaxed demeanor. He felt at ease that she showed a desire to hang on and show her ultimate strength even in her condition. He ignored the stares from the people gathered outside their homes to witness the passing of a captain through their town. They were insignificant compared to those he supported in his arms and on his back.

"Byakuya-sama-"

"Hush now. Conserve your energy. We can discuss the matter at home."

Hisana coughed and turned her head toward the left, resting her chin against his shoulder. She kissed his ear gently and closed her eyes.

"Byakuya-sama, I want you hear this. I want you know the story of my sister and what made me go out and locate her."

Byakuya was silent. He couldn't deny that he did want to know the story behind the infant he was now carrying. He thought he knew everything about his wife but this sudden revelation made him question his own beliefs. His concern over her health was beginning to fade and his desire to learn the truth was growing strong.

"When the cadets at the Soul Reaper Academy are sent for training to the world of the living, older members usually accompany them to ensure they aren't put in harm's way…am I correct?"

Byakuya grunted. He wondered how his wife knew so much about the traditions of the soul reaper academy since she never spent time with anyone from the institute.

"Lady Yoruichi," Hisana began. "She accompanied the latest group of trainees to the world of the living four days ago. While she was there she took some time to visit an old friend of hers but she didn't give me their name."

Byakuya tightened his hold on his wife's leg as the south side main entrance gate came into view. He paused and held the female's close to his body.

"Hold on."

Hisana slowly locked her fingers against the base of her husband's throat and buried her face against his left shoulder.

Moving quickly, Byakuya disappeared then reappeared swiftly above the gate then jumped down on the opposite side. He glared menacingly at the guard before continuing toward the Seireitei.

He walked in silence as he entered the main grounds of the area most populated with fellow soul reapers. He could feel their eyes on him, wondering what was behind his current predicament but he knew they wouldn't address the matter – at least not to his face. Glancing through the corner of his eyes he took note of his wife's closed eyes as she pressed her chin against his shoulder. He was unsure if she was asleep but he was not going to disturb her to find her.

Hisana coughed and opened her eyes. "She called me." She began once again. "Apparently her friend was charged with passing souls to our world and they noticed an infant who looked identical to me. Lady Yoruichi went along with this person and also believed the child must have been of some relation to me."

"How could you be so sure that this infant is a blood relative?" Byakuya probed.

"The house where the infant was found…there was a picture of two women who they said also looked like me. I have no memories of the events of my life while I was alive but I believe that she must be my sister. No two or three people can share that much of a resemblance and not be related somehow. If she isn't my sister then there has to be some sort of reason for her likeness to me."

Glancing at the baby against his arm, Byakuya could not deny that she did share the same features of his wife. Her skin was soft, light and pale just like Hisana's. Her hair was black like his wife's but he couldn't actually consider that to be a complete link to his companion's heritage. He wished the child would awaken so he could take a look at her eyes to see if she had also inherited Hisana's retinas as well.

"I know this all seems so farfetched, Byakuya-sama, but-"Hisana coughed once again, much to the worry of her husband. "But I had to see for myself. I had to find her and see if she was as Lady Yoruichi stated. I went immediately the next day to locate her but I came up empty. I found her today lying in a rundown shack in the middle of district 78, most commonly known as hanging dog, where you found us."

Byakuya nodded stiffly as he walked into the vast garden surrounding his home. He glanced around making sure that unwanted eyes did not see him with a child in his arms. It was no secret that he and his wife had not given birth to an infant in all the years they were together. It was a demand set forth by the elders in his family, but as much as they tried the lord and lady of the Kuchiki house could not conceive. Now he was bringing a child he did not father into his home, into the lies that he already found himself entangled in as it regarded his wife. With this new information he hoped his trail of deceit wouldn't stretch any further.

"Byakuya-sama-" Hisana began as husband, wife and child entered the bedroom the couple shared. "I do not wish to bring you any more trouble. You've already had to lie about my heritage to keep your family happy and keep us together. I don't want you to lie anymore for me."

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Byakuya released his wife's fingers from around his neck and gently slid her onto the bed. Turning around, he set the infant down in the middle of the bed and pulled back the white sheet at the head of the bed. He carefully picked his wife up and set her down on her side and pulled the covers over her.

"Rest now. I will take care of things from here."

He bent down, pressed his lips against hers and kissed her tenderly. Lifting his right hand he gently swiped his thumb against her cheek affectionately as their lips parted. Lifting his head, he planted another kiss against her forehead then stood upright. His eyes fell on the infant still asleep beneath the ripped cloth it was covered with.

"What will you do?" Hisana questioned as she watched her husband pick up the infant.

Securing the baby in his arms, Byakuya turned and walked toward the door. He stopped and glanced over his shoulder.

"Rest."

He walked out of their bedroom carrying the infant without speaking another word.

.

.

.

That was two weeks ago and after pulling strings through the department of research and development; Byakuya was able to confirm that the baby that his wife believed was a family member was in fact that. He ascertained further that he could not allow his wife's family member to return to the Rukon district. He put forth the request to have the nursery constructed while also dispelling any talk about where the baby came from. He kept the information to himself until he had no choice but to inform his grandfather of the newest heir to the household, another lie added to the one he began five years ago.

He turned his head and watched his grandfather tickle the infant; happily engaging with her like any elder would with their great grand. He knew the truth, however, and hoped his grandfather wouldn't press the matter further. Byakuya watched as Rukia laughed playfully at the man showing her attention. He closed his eyes, knowing that he could not show her the same affection. She was, after all, just his sister in law, not his daughter. He couldn't bring himself to bond with another addition to his stream of lies. However he pondered the fact that his wife, as much as he loved her, was known to his family through a lie and yet he bonded with her. So couldn't he do the same with the child?

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a guard rushing into the room and kneeling before the captain and the former captain of the household. Both Kuchiki men turned and looked at the gentleman who was on his knees with his head lowered toward the ground.

"Captain Kuchiki, sir-" The guard hesitated. "It's…Lady Hisana."

Byakuya's eyes widened. He did not need to hear anymore and rushed past the guard toward the room next door that housed his ailing wife. He didn't wait for his grandfather who was still holding a smiling Rukia in his arms.

Pushing open the bedroom door, Byakuya froze as he felt the energy of his wife drop to barely nothing. He would have believed she had passed on if she had not turned her head toward him and smiled. He eyed the medical staff in the room that stood off to the side. Anger grew within him as he watched them stand with their heads lowered. He couldn't help but contemplate why they were not standing by his wife, doing what they could to keep her by his side. Their mere presence was driving him insane.

"Byakuya-sama…" Hisana spoke hoarsely.

Hearing his wife's soft speech brought the temper of the angered captain to a more relaxed state. Without hesitation he rushed to his wife's side and knelt beside her. He didn't even notice his grandfather standing in his previous spot with Rukia in his arms.

"Hisana," He took her right hand and held it between his two hands. "Please don't speak. Save your strength."

Hisana smiled as she gazed into her husband's eyes.

"Byakuya…I'm going to die. It's inevitable." She coughed uncontrollably much to her husband's chagrin. She squeezed his hand softly. "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry, Byakuya-sama."

Squeezing her hand back, Byakuya glanced toward the lone window in their bedroom chamber and watched as a single plum blossom opened up on one of the many branches.

"Look, Hisana, look at the plum blossom."

Hisana coughed once again. She struggled to lift her body upward but found it difficult.

Leaning closer to his wife, Byakuya brought his forehead against his her's and whispered. "Hisana…"

"Byakuya-sama, I'm sorry you had to lie to your family about me and where I'm truly from." She glanced momentarily at Ginrei who stood back at the door holding Rukia's hand in his own. "I never meant to cause you any problems. I have loved the five years we've shared together. I'm sorry I couldn't bring you the heir your family has always wanted."

"Don't talk like that," Byakuya gently stroked his wife's cheek as he continued to whisper against her lips. "We've shared five wonderful years without a child. If I could do it all over again I would never change a thing."

Hisana smiled as she gently linked her fingers with his and whispered. "I have no right to ask anything of you but please I must ask you for one more consideration."

"Anything, Hisana."

"I want you to look after my sister. I'm sorry I will never get to know her but she has you. You do not need to lie to your family. I could never ask that of you after all you've done for me. Just please, take care of Rukia. Be her older brother."

Byakuya shut his eyes tightly as he absorbed his wife's final wish. He remembered she had no idea of what he did while in his grandfather's presence. That his sister in law had to now become his daughter thanks to another one of his lies. At the end of the day Rukia was his family and although he would not be her biological father that didn't mean he couldn't raise her as if she was just that.

Hearing his wife cough once again, Byakuya focused on her as she continued to cough violently. He pressed his face against her neck, inhaling her scent and keeping his body close to hers. He felt her pulse as it beat against his face while she continued to fight for control.

"Hisana…" he whispered softly.

He squeezed her hand and waited for her to reciprocate but she never did. Pulling his head away from her, Byakuya stared at her face as she lay motionless beneath him. He placed his face against her neck once again but this time he didn't feel a pulse.

Tears brushed against his eyelashes as he kissed her neck softly.

"I promise Hisana that I will take care of Rukia." He inhaled his wife's scent for the final time. "I will raise her as my own child."