Gift of the Guardian

Chapter Three

Written by gokusgirl

Big thanks to Shenhui & Janabanana for beta reading!

Song for this chapter: I'd die without you by PM Dawn

They sat in the small waiting room, watching as young women walked in and out. Rukia didn't want to resort to this, but entering the portal in her condition and facing everyone, including Ichigo and her brother gripped her with fear she didn't want to face.

The only soul that knew of her pregnancy was the sweet and faithful Orihime. The day she found out she was expecting Orihime had run to the bathroom, concerned. As soon as the door opened and Rukia looked into those huge charcoal eyes, she tearfully confessed. Orihime held her, consoling her as best she could as she wept on her shoulder.

Rukia sat in stark silence hours after she could cry no more. Orihime tried to tell her that having a child wouldn't mean the end of the world; that it could be a sign of good fortune. But Rukia simply disagreed, wiping her tear stained face as she stared off, lost in all thought over the entire situation.

"I can't keep it," Rukia intoned softly, her eyes closing with grief. "What else can I do?"

Sighing sadly, Orihime reached out to her friend, and squeezed her hand tightly. "I am totally against what you're about to suggest; but it's your body."

It was then that Orihime told her of the women's clinic downtown.

Rukia nervously flipped through a magazine as she waited for her name to be called. She would glance up every time the nurse would call out a woman's name, and her eyes would follow the nurse as she escorted each person back silently. Rukia also noticed how they exited – looking pale, weak, and exhausted. But what made her simply nauseous was the couple that was called back, a young woman and man that looked no older than eighteen. Dread gripped her stomach when she saw them leave; the man had his arm around the woman and she could barely walk. The woman wore a blank expression, her eyes dead of any emotion.

If I had told him, that could have been us.

Or would it?

Rukia held her breath and closed her eyes, as she couldn't bear to watch the pair anymore. She gripped the magazine tightly in her hand, crimpling the paper.

"Rukia?" Orihime touched her arm as she called out to her. Rukia flinched violently as her eyes sprung open. She looked over at Orihime when she asked if she was alright.

"I just want this over with." Rukia spoke through clenched teeth. Orihime gave her a worried nod as she held her hand, knowing that her opinion about the matter would make no difference. She was there for emotional support, even if her outlook on the matter is entirely different.

"Kuchiki Rukia?"

Rukia whipped her head up, and stared at the smiling face of the nurse, who was dressed in white nursing scrubs, holding a thin blue clipboard in her hand. Rukia's heart began to thump hard in her chest and didn't even notice that Orihime was now standing over her. Orihime tried to pull Rukia out of her seat, but Rukia wouldn't budge.

"Rukia…?" Orihime asked her timidly as she looked at her with much concern. Suddenly Rukia blinked, coming out her fearful haze as she stood slowly. Her feet felt like lead when she began to walk forward.

They followed the nurse down a narrow corridor that seemed to be like a maze. There were many doors in this area, each closed off from the world, and she could scarcely hear the muffled voices behind a few. Rukia's grip on Orihime's hand tightened as she felt faint. Was she really going to do this? Abort hers and Ichigo's child without him knowing?

"Here we are," The nurse told them as she opened a door. Rukia froze when she saw the examining table as they walked in. "You can undress behind this screen and put on this gown, opened to the front please. Dr. Sachiko will be in shortly."

The nurse closed the door behind her when she left. Orihime looked around the sterile room, opening a few cabinets in curiosity. Rukia took off her jacket, and silently picked up the paper gown and walked behind the screen to change. She wanted to say something, because anything is preferable than this awkward silence with Orihime. But she was simply out of words. Her friend did try to argue a good and valid point to her; it was ultimately her choice but it was Ichigo's choice as well. Remembering that made her chest burn with guilt; she was doing this behind Ichigo's back. She would abort his baby without him ever knowing. She knew this was the right thing to do; if Ichigo would act harshly about her leaving for the Soul Society, then there was no telling how he would react knowing he had gotten her pregnant.

Donning the paper gown, she walked from behind the screen and hers and Orihime's eyes locked. Orihime was there for support; but her face told another story. She felt so disappointed in Rukia's decision, and she felt like she failed as a friend because she couldn't sway her friend's heart. Rukia looked away from Orihime's troubled gaze, and walked over to the examining table to climb up. It was several minutes before Dr. Sachiko burst in, wearing a composed smile as the nurse hurried in behind her.

"Good morning Miss Kuchiki," Dr. Sachiko greeted her warmly as she shook her hand with much assertion. Rukia only nodded, watching the doctor as she opened up her file and scanned through it quickly. She then looked at Rukia with a tight smile. "I'm Dr. Sachiko, and I'm the one who's going to perform the procedure today. Your last period was on May 19th, correct?"

"Umm, yes Doctor." Rukia answered with a dry voice.

"So that would put you around…" The doctor clicked her tongue in her cheek as her eyes wondered to the ceiling in thought. Her eyes followed back down as she wrote in the folder. "…about six weeks. But we're still going to run an ultrasound on you, to determine the exact gestation, okay dear?"

Rukia nodded mutely as the doctor and the nurse went about their task of setting up the ultrasound machine, hearing the Doctor talk some medical jargon to the nurse and she dutifully replied.

"And who is this here?" The Doctor asked politely as she looked at Orihime.

"That's my best friend Inoue Orihime." Rukia managed to say, all the while keeping her eyes on the nurse who was setting up the machine.

"Good of you to come, Orihime." The doctor told Orihime, and she gave a small nod to the doctor in return, pursing her lips tightly. "Okay Miss Kuchiki, if you will lie back on the table here and open the front of your gown. I'm going to place some warm, icky gel on your stomach so the probe can view the images. I might apply a little pressure; you just let me know if it's too much, okay?"

Rukia nodded her head again, shutting her eyes as she felt the warm gel on her flat stomach. She heard the doctor tell her she was about to begin, and the probe was pressed against her stomach. She curled her toes and balled her fists as the doctor applied more pressure, sliding the probe towards her lower abdomen.

"Okay… there it is," The doctor said in much concentration as she clicked on the machine with her free hand. Orihime leapt to her feet, and went to the monitor to see. She smiled, almost to the brink of tears as she looked over at Rukia. But Rukia's eyes were closed. She was breathing hard, feeling herself hyperventilate as she commanded her eyes not to open; to not look at the image on the screen.

If she saw it, that would change everything.

"Rukia…" Orihime pleaded with her anxiously, touching her arm.

"I don't want to see it!" Rukia yelled out abruptly as she gritted her teeth. The room fell silent with her outburst, and the Doctor cleared her throat.

"Nurse please annotate that the embryo is in its seventh week of gestation based on the size and length. But I need to check one more thing," Dr. Sachiko instructed her. She clicked on the machine a few more times and suddenly the entire room was filled with a strange, intelligible noise.

Swoosh, swoosh. Swoosh, swoosh.

The noise would have made a deaf person hear. Its rapid, fleeting beats gave Rukia chills. And then all at once she realized what that sound was.

It was the heartbeat.

Her baby's heartbeat.

Her eyes opened slowly, and she turned her head towards the sound. Orihime was staring at her, her face wet with tears. She stepped to the side, and the monitor came into Rukia's view. The black screen, which had a blurry grey image showed something no smaller than a blueberry floating in a dark void. But this was for certain: its heartbeat reassured her that there was life…an actual life inside of her.

"My baby," Rukia whispered hoarsely, her hand reaching out for Orihime's.

The doctor and the nurse exchanged some puzzling stares, and the doctor cleared her throat once again to get their attention. "…Well it will cost around 63,000 yen for this procedure… are you still wanting to go through with it Miss Kuchiki?"

A hot tear fell down the side of her face, and she pulled herself up into a sitting position. Wiping her face, she looked at the doctor with full determination as she gave her answer.

"Hell no."

Sleep.

It was all he could do lately, and for some strange reason Ichigo didn't know why.

He could be downstairs, lounging around in the recreation room watching television. Only 10 minutes into the program he would feel his eyelids growing heavy and before he knew it he was asleep.

He could be anywhere and this would happen.

What was so strange was how long he would sleep. When he fell asleep at his desk a few nights ago, Karin slapped him awake. He had snoozed there for three and a half hours.

He felt fine. He wasn't coming down with a cold or flu … he just felt… drained somewhat.

It might be of no surprise though considering he had spent the last few weeks before school ended touring universities, studying for finals, and having endless nights of passion with Rukia, though he was not going to complain about that last one. Rukia had him so relaxed that he barely carried a pulse. Though there was one other thing picking at his brain recently… Rukia's departure.

He had been apart from her before. But that was before they admitted they loved each other. Before they made love to each other, before… everything. Just the very thought of her not being around twisted around in Ichigo's gut like a hot knife.

He reacted childishly when she first told him of her departure. He regretted everything he had done, everything he had said to her. It just created a rift between the two of them. Now Ichigo had a better understanding of her leaving. It was something she just had to do.

Just like he had to leave for college.

It's not that Ichigo didn't want to go to college. He just felt like he wanted other things in life. For the last three years all he did (between school) was fight, and train. He was so strong now- stronger than he could ever imagine. The last time he visited the Soul Society he could have sworn that Yama-sama was about to talk to him about the vacant captain position. And for the first time in Ichigo's life (well the second time actually), he wanted something. He wanted that captain position. But it wasn't anything he openly admitted to; not even to Rukia.

Ichigo yawned, stretching his arms over his head as he glanced at the alarm clock on his dresser. It was already 7:30 PM, and in an hour and a half Rukia would be walking through the senkaimon, heading back to the Soul Society.

It made him instantly depressed.

And tired.

He sat at the edge of the bed, putting his sneakers on and lacing them up tightly. He then stood, and grabbed a small red box off his dresser before heading out the door, walking over to Orihime's so he can escort Rukia over to Urahara's shop.

"Ah…hello Rukia-Chan, Ichigo!" Kisuke exclaimed happily to the couple as they walked into his shop.

"Hello Urahara-san…" Rukia said with a polite bow. Ichigo, however never said a word, only giving a disconcerted yawn as he dug his index finger in his right ear. "I appreciate you opening the senkaimon for me." Rukia continued.

"Not a problem Rukia…" Kisuke began but stopped abruptly, before narrowing his eyes at her suspiciously. He regained his composure, and flapped open his fan dramatically as he turned and walked towards the adjourning room. "Excuse me for one moment." He said as he left hurriedly.

"What the hell was that all about?" Ichigo snapped. "He looks like he's seen a ghost."

Rukia's heart leapt into her throat, and she swallowed thickly as she shook her head, looking away from Ichigo's face. She prayed to herself that Urahara hadn't suspected anything. But judging from the surprised look he just gave her… he knew something. How, she didn't know.

"You know Urahara is a bit of an eccentric, so who knows?" Rukia finally said.

"Whatever. Hey you," Ichigo called out to Rukia, and she turned around. "I got you something."

Rukia's face lit up with joy, and she walked over closer to him. "You did? Aw, Ichigo… you didn't have to get-"

"Shut up and open it." Ichigo told her abruptly, handing her the red velvet box.

She took it in shaky hands and smiled as she glanced up at Ichigo's blushing face. Her attention went back to the box and with a flick of her thumb she plucked it open. Inside was a greenish looking pendant shaped into a kanji symbol attached to a black satin cord. Her fingers glided across the smooth stone, astonished that Ichigo had given her something so beautiful.

"It's a jade necklace… the kanji means double happiness… when I saw it, it made me think of how you make me feel." Ichigo said softly as he shuffled his feet, feeling his stomach twist with sadness. "You make me feel doubly happy…and loved, Rukia."

"Thank you, Ichigo… this means so much to me!" Rukia sighed as she cupped his face with her hand.

"You mean so much to me, don't forget it." Ichigo spoke in a thick voice.

They embraced each other tightly, and as Ichigo leaned in to give her a kiss, he heard someone clearing their throat.

"Enough of that already!" Yoruichi sneered; her arms akimbo.

Rukia and Ichigo broke their embrace, looking rather embarrassed that she caught them that way.

"So, Yoruichi… decided to show up in human form today?" Ichigo teased.

"Aw, Ichigo… are you mad that you didn't get to see me transform? I know you love seeing that… " Yoruichi tittered as she covered her mouth.

Rukia noticed how Ichigo's face was turning beet red and she frowned slightly. "What are you two talking about?"

"Nothing," Ichigo answered quickly. "Yoruichi's just a big pervert."

"Rukia… can I speak with you alone for a moment please?" Yoruichi asked her suddenly.

"Ah, sure…" Rukia replied as she began to walk towards the flash goddess' direction.

"What are you two going to talk about?" Ichigo asked sternly, wondering if Yoruichi had the gall to tell her of the times when she transformed naked in front of Ichigo. Talk about poor timing.

"Don't worry, Ichigo. It's not what you think." Yoruichi told him as she gave him a playful wink.

That didn't quell any of Ichigo's fears as they walked into the next room, and he began to pace nervously.

As Rukia walked into Urahara's office, she noticed he was leaning against his desk, waiting patiently for them to return. She heard the door shut behind her, and turned around to see Yoruichi standing there, her arms folded at her chest as she stared back at her with much concern.

"You're right Kisuke," Yoruichi said with a sigh. "I can feel it, too."

Rukia's heart began to flutter rapidly when she heard that. "Uh… what are you talking-"

"So, Ichigo doesn't know, I take it?" Kisuke asked Rukia, and she turned towards his direction.

"He doesn't know what?" Rukia mumbled, acting as if she has no idea what they're talking about.

"Don't play coy with us, girl." Yoruichi told her unpleasantly as she walked past her and stood next to Kisuke. "We know that you're with child."

Rukia's eyes widened. "How… do you know this?"

"Because we can feel it, Rukia…it's very obvious." Kisuke answered as he shook his head slowly. "What puzzles me is why Ichigo does not sense it?"

"He does sense it," Rukia said as she looked away shamefully. "I just convinced him otherwise."

Yoruichi tossed her head back in laughter. "My gracious that boy is such an ignoramus!"

"Ichi-chan…" Kisuke warned her as he gave her a small frown.

"He is not an ignoramus!" Rukia snapped, her eyes beginning to well up with tears. "I have a good reason for not telling him now."

"Oh? So you're just going to risk your soul and the life of your child as you saunter through the senkaimon?" Yoruichi spat nastily. "At least I hope that the reason behind this is valid. Tell me your reason." Yoruichi demanded grittily. When Rukia didn't answer right away, it made her furious. "What is your reason, Rukia?"

"I'm scared, alright?" Rukia shouted back at the goddess, making her back down a bit. The tears were spilling down her cheeks now, and she did nothing to stop them. "I'm scared to abort it; I'm scared to keep it… I'm scared to tell Ichigo. I can't bog his mind down with this when he's set to go to college a month from now… I just don't know what I'm doing!" Breaking down, she fell to her knees, weeping into her hands.

"You didn't have to push the child Ichi," Kisuke scolded Yoruichi as he rubbed his forehead.

Yoruichi didn't respond to her lover's remark, she immediately ran over to Rukia, embracing her shaking shoulders as she tried to console her. "Hush child… it will be alright. I am sorry if I was too harsh on you." Yoruichi cooed quietly. Once she calmed herself down, Rukia wiped her face with the back of her hand and began to stand.

"What we need to focus on now is how you will pass through the senkaimon," Kisuke told them as he rubbed his stubbly chin. "You still have to go, Rukia… and since we have confirmed your condition we have to make preparations for it."

"So I can pass through like this?" Rukia asked them both hopefully.

"I'm most certain the hell butterfly will allow you to pass, but we will need to add an extra barrier on you so your passage will not hurt the child." Yoruichi explained. "I have a medallion of protection that my family entrusted to the sick… I'm sure if you place the medallion on your clothing it should work."

"Should is not a very positive word right now." Rukia said warily.

"Should will have to do, because we're out of time and it's our only option." Kisuke replied. "I'm going to ready the portal… Ichi -Chan, get that medallion and put it on Rukia before Ichigo notices that something's amiss." Kisuke exited quickly, putting his overly pleasant façade on as he greeted Ichigo again.

Yoruichi walked over to Kisuke's desk, and after shifting through a few drawers, she found the medallion. It had markings on its grayish stone, indicating that it came from the Shihouin clan.

"Undo your obi, so I can place the medallion on your stomach, and make sure you keep this on you at all times to hide the child's reiatsu." Yoruichi instructed her. Rukia quickly united the obi. Yoruichi opened the robes up and pressed the cold stone on Rukia's stomach. "You still don't want to tell Ichigo?" She asked softly, and Rukia stared at her with apprehension in her eyes.

"I…I just can't." Rukia stuttered out in a small voice.

Yoruichi stood; tying Rukia's obi back in place. She cupped Rukia's face in her hands, looking her straight in the eyes with a caring, concerned smile. "Don't worry, child. Now put on a good smile for Ichigo, okay?"

Nodding, Rukia sniffled as she began to smile. Kisuke and Ichigo entered the office, stopping at the door when they saw Yoruichi and Rukia standing close.

"You see that, Ichigo? She has no perception of personal space." Kisuke laughed.

"Shut up, old man. I was just giving Rukia a good bye hug." Yoruichi explained as she wrapped her arms around Rukia, embracing her tightly. Rukia awkwardly embraced her back, smiling warmly.

"Alright Rukia, let's go and get you back over to the Soul Society." Kisuke instructed her, and she walked out with Ichigo.

"What did they need to talk to you about?" Ichigo asked her as he walked up the hallway.

"Oh, just some things that had to do with the clans, really boring stuff," Rukia lied smoothly. When he didn't ask for any more details, she was inwardly relieved. I'm sorry I had to lie to you, Ichigo…

When they entered the dining area, all the furniture was pushed back to make room for the huge Shoji doors that now stood there. Rukia held her breath as she looked at the senkaimon, and as she glanced over at Ichigo, who looked simply devastated.

"And the doors should be opening just about…" Kisuke announced slowly as hissing noise came from the portal, and suddenly the doors began to open. "Now." They all stood there as a bright light began to glow from the portal, and a fluttering hell butterfly drifted out.

Rukia swallowed hard, and picking up her bags, she began to step forward. Ichigo grabbed her hand, and she turned to look at him. He looked so crushed, so absolutely distraught with her leaving right now… yet he gave her a smile. A smirk, really. Rukia embraced him once more, and they kissed.

"I love you," Ichigo told her as he touched her cheek.

"I love you, too." Rukia replied quickly, her throat already tightening due to an onslaught of tears.

She stepped back from him, smiling as she began to turn and walk back to the portal. She gave Kisuke and Yoruichi a glance, and nodded in gratitude. And with that, Rukia Kuchiki stepped through the senkaimon, and the doors shut, closing them off from the world she would now ventured to.

To be continued

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