A/N: I sincerely dedicate this chapter to darling Cerucci. You're just awesome and I love you! My thanks to TokenAsian . I hope you love this one too. And not forgetting Aria6, here you go. I hope this keeps your interest flamed! As for the guest reviewer who simply wrote 'Kurosaki', I'm sorry that I don't know what you're trying to say. But thanks anyway!
Chapter 4:Please Don't Go
Pregnancy was not treating Grimmjow well. Mornings were spent in the bathroom, the toilet bowl being the first thing to greet his sight.
After gratefully thanking Byakuya for his hospitality, (even if it was because of Yama-sans order that this was happening), he had moved into his new room in the Kuchiki manor. Unfortunately because he was too tired he hadn't thought about checking around the facilities so the next morning saw him running around trying to find the bathroom. Then figuring there was no way in hell he could make it anywhere in time he decided to take the chance and puked on the floor which unfortunately was occupied by two sandaled feet that belonged to none other than…
Wait for it…
The one and only…
Byakuya Kuchiki.
Grimmjow has seen many things in his life but he has never seen such a miraculous thing as the noble man's actions just then.
The great stoic Byakuya Kuchiki smiled. Actually smiled. Did I mention that he smiled? Oh. It seems I have. Three times.
He swallowed nervously and stammered out.
'' I'm sor…sorry. I couldn't find the bathroom and I couldn't…''
A raised palm silenced him.
'' There's nothing to be sorry about, it was not your fault.''
Somehow it didn't convince him.
'' Really, I'm truly sorry''
Byakuya's smile vanished and he frowned.
'' Do I look displeased at you in any way?''
Grimm: '' Err…no, I guess''
Then Byakuya smiled again. It was not a full blown smile but just a tiny lifting of one corner of his soft lips. Grimmjow decided that the man looks so much better with a smile. It gave a softness to his pale face and made him look less ghost-lie in appearance.
''Then I don't see what seems to be the problem ''
Grimmjow mumbled softly in confusion. This was not how he expected the captain to be. From what he heard it wasn't so easy to see the captain smile or speak freely to anyone. The rumors were far from correct.
'' B…But, I just…''
'' Let's not talk about this anymore, okay? I'll get a helper clean up this mess. Meanwhile let me escort you to your chambers ''
That being said he even offered a hand to help Grimmjow up. In truth Grimmjow didn't think that was necessary. I mean, he was pregnant just a few weeks not months but decided for once to keep his trap shut and not embarrass or anger his host.
Grimmjow felt ashamed to walk beside the noble head whose steps were light and barely made any noise. He on the other hand felt like a giant hollow stampeding around trying to learn ballet and failing miserably, even though he tried as hard as he can to stifle the noise. Then he remembered that he was an Espada, so no hollow can be quieter than him. It seems that floorboards had a thing against Grimmjow.
Perhaps he thought that glaring at it would help so he kept staring down while walking and didn't notice anything until his head bumped onto the back of the man in front of him. He pulled away rubbing his nose.
'' Sorry, Captain I wasn't watching my steps''
Byakuya: It's fine.
He casually entered the room which served as a sleeping chamber for Grimmjow. He sighed.
'' You have to forgive my blunder, Jaegerjaques. I did not take consideration of your situation properly it seems. If you don't mind, I'll have my maid prepare a better room for you, one which has a bathroom in it''
Grimmjow let out a nervous laugh.
'' That's fine Captain but not necessary I think. If you have someone show me the way to the nearest bathroom than it should be enough''
Byakuya clicked his tongue and made –tsk…tsk- sound.
'' I rather you change rooms. It's dishonorable to trouble the guests especially those in delicate conditions''
'' My, you make it sound as though being pregnant is a bad thing''
Byakuya turned around to face him with surprise on his face.
'' I'm sorry; I did not mean to demean you in any way. It's just that, I forgot the need a pregnant person has. Forgive me if I was insensitive. But my offer is final. You will move to your new room where you can rest easier.''
'' Well, if you insist and if it's lets you rest easy then it's fine I guess''
Byakuya smiled again.
'' I'm happy you reconsidered''
You didn't give me a chance to say no actually, thought Grimm.
'' Oh, I'll let the Kurosaki boy know when he gets back''
'' Right, thanks.''
Silently Grimmjow can't help but think 'Byakuya is such a nice person. And he smells good. Wait…what?! Where the hell did that come from? Probably the baby. Yeah, that must be it.'
( A/N: it has nothing to do with the baby you pervert. Its you. Teehee….^^)
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2 months into pregnancy.
Grimmjow was learning to adjust living in the Soul Society amongst shinigamis. He was even wearing a black shinigami robe just like the others. But that was mostly because his own arrancar uniform that he had worn when first coming here was tattered beyond repair. It was depressing to wear black all the time but the shinigamis were so kind to him already that he couldn't complain about anything so he kept quiet.
Today he was in a good mood ever since he woke up. Not even the morning trip to the bathroom could dampen his spirit.
He checked himself out in the mirror and smiled. He might not know it but whenever he did, it gave a warm glow to his face. He lifted the collar of the white shirt he was wearing and sniffed it. A delicious and tempting smell filled his nose. He inhaled deeply again so that the lovely scent could pleasure his senses more.
He was wearing a loose cotton black shorts and a rather large white button-up shirt. The shirt didn't cover the small baby bump that's forming unlike the shinigami robe because it sagged and clung to his form but he didn't mind much.
He gingerly touched the bump. It felt…odd. And so out of place. The rippling muscle that adorned his abdomen was now adorning a baby bump. It was not soft or squishy like he expected but firm and taut. It was probably because of his muscles stretching out he presumed.
His baby was growing. He sighed and exited his room. Outside were some fuzzy slippers that Byakuya had insisted he wore around the house. He said it was to keep his feet warm. If he was comfortable than the baby will be too he said. Sometimes Grimmjow felt guilty that maybe he wasn't taking care of himself as much as he should. It seemed as though the noble was doing a better job than him.
He walked around the now familiar hallway. He couldn't help but admire the scenery around the home. But it never looked better than from either his room or Byakuya's special room. He was heading there now to have tea with him.
The noble-man had offered to spend the mornings having light snacks together in his special resting area where the view that over-looked the garden was simply magnificent. At first it felt awkward to be with the captain but soon he got used to it.
The longer he spent time with the captain the better he got to know him and it surprised him how the cold look the noble has is a mask to hide the caring and gentle personality he truly has.
The smell of hot tea assaulted his nose as he entered the room he dubbed now as 'snack chamber'. Byakuya thought it sounded nice too. Or maybe he was just nice enough not to say it sucked. He smiled blindingly at Byakuya. The noble man was surprised that the usual sour puss look on the blue haired male was replaced by a cheerful look.
'' My, my…someone seems happy today'', he meant it as a question more than a statement.
As a routine, the Kenseikan donning leader stood up to greet him and escort him to his seat. Grimm smiled.
'' I don't know I just feel great today, so watcha' got for me today?''
'' Hmmm…you look different as well. The absence of shinigami robe is the reason I think. We're having chai today and some croissants. ''
'' I was getting depressed wearing black all the time. Sounds delish, I love croissants.''
This was how the typical exchange between them was. Personal questions laced with trivial, mundane ones. It made it sound less intrusive and blunt. If there's one thing, among many others, that Grimm had learned about Byakuya was that when it came to personal conversations you don't get directly to the point or you'll be greeted with a hard glare and a cold shoulder.
Byakuya was already wearing his uniform but his haori [1] was neatly hanging on a hook on the wall. He had done so ever since Grimm admitted he felt uneasy when he saw him wearing it during their small meeting. He had said it felt more like an obligation than an invite to spend time with him.
The lithe formed, black haired, pale colored captain was pouring the chai for Grimm with his long elegant hand. As he finished he talked again.
'' You smell different. Familiar but so unlike you''
Grimm was surprised; he didn't know the captain had a good sense of smell.
'' Oh, I do? ''
Byakuya nodded.
'' Like strawberries''
Immediately a blush crept up Grimm's face. Byakuya was clearly amused and feeling a tad bit wicked that day so he casually added.
'' I heard that the Kurosaki boy visited yesterday. I presume you spent time together well''
Grimmjow blushed harder than before as the hidden meaning of Byakuya's question dawned on him.
'' Ye…yeah, ermm…he brought some fruits and we spent time around the town for a while. Then he had to leave because he had some important things to do''
'' Ah…I see. The shirt is his, isn't it?''
Grimm nodded.
'' It was a gift for you then?''
Grimm smiled although to Byakuya it looked a bit bitter.
'' No, not a gift. He just forgot to bring it home. It was hot yesterday so he just went around in his t-shirt. I just…thought it looked nice and tried it on. It smelled like strawberries too. Which I feel like eating. That's weird because I hate strawberries.''
At the last statement Grimm frowned.
'' You hate strawberries?''
Grimm nodded.
'' Yeah, I used to anyway. Now I just wanna' eat them without stopping. I don't know why''
Byakuya smiled behind his cup of chai.
'' Congratulations''
'' Err…thanks? Why?''
'' You are officially having your first craving''
Realization dawned on Grimmjow. Of course it was a craving. How could he not remember? He vaguely recalled Unohana saying he might have weird cravings. It could be food he loves to eat or something he completely hates.
'' Wow, I'm glad''
'' For?''
'' For craving something as simple and normal as strawberries. Unohana told me that some pregnant people eat totally disgusting stuff like mackerel on ice-cream''
When he said that Byakuya turned slightly green. He put down his cup.
'' Uhh, I think I just lost my appetite''
Grimm smiled.
'' Oops, sorry''
'' It's perfectly fine. The shirt's too big for you though. If you would allow me, I'll have my personal tailor design an outfit to your liking. Using your favorite color.''
Grimm hesitated.
'' I actually like this shirt. It…it reminds me. Of him.''
'' Ahh, of course. My apologies I didn't take that into consideration. Of course that is why you're wearing Kurosaki's shirt''
'' I wish he would stay longer. I want to ask him to stay and say please don't go but I can't. It's too much to ask from him. I mean the baby itself must leave him feeling overwhelmed. I don't want to pressure him too much''
Grimmjow looked very sad when he said this that Byakuya felt like dragging Ichigo here and bonk him on the head for being so stupid and inconsiderate. Oh God is that tears in his eyes? Byakuya panicked, he wouldn't know what to do if Grimmjow cried. He wasn't exactly a person who can handle emotions well. He himself was proof enough.
'' Damn that Kurosaki''
Grimm's head suddenly snapped up sharply.
'' Stop doing that''
'' Doing what?''
'' Calling him Kurosaki. His name is Ichigo''
'' I know. I don't know him well enough to use his first name. Unlike him, who doesn't know the meaning of respect. Such insolence''
Before Byakuya could blink, he was sprawled on the floor with Grimm on top of him straddling his hips. (A/n: Hey! No dirty thoughts yeah. Get your mind out of the gutter.^^)
His right fist was aimed directly at Byakuya's face and he growled.
'' Watch what you say or else I'll beat you up to a pulp''
'' Calm down Grimmjow. There's no need for a fight.''
Grimm narrowed his eyes and got off the noble. Then he froze in place.
'' Oh my God! I have no idea what the hell I was thinking! I just felt so sad when I thought of Ichigo and then suddenly when you insulted him I felt so…angry''
'' Byakuya sat up adjusting his clothes and straightened his hair and then he sighed.
'' Congratulations again''
'' What?!''
'' I believe you just went through your first mood swing''
Grimmjow groaned.
'' Uh, why is being pregnant so complicated. So I'm gonna' be like this for 7 more months?''
'' Sometimes it goes away''
Somehow Grimmjow didn't think that was possible.
'' I just hope I don't go attacking everyone like I attacked you''
His face displayed a sincere apology.
'' No worries. I'm honored that both major signs of your pregnancy was displayed to me''
'' You know what? Being pregnant is so complicated''
'' Tell me about it''
While he said that, Byakuya rubbed his neck where just moments ago Grimm had held in a vice grip with his left hand. Maybe he should stay away from hormonal man-mothers' for some time.
He groaned as he felt pain in the abused area. That is going to leave a mark, he thought.
Yup, definitely staying away from hormonal moms.
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A/N: I'm sorry there isn't any Grimm x Ichi in this chapter. I wanted to write about how Grimm's life is in Soul Society is. I mean it'll be boring if he spends all the months staring at dust isn't it? The choice of Byakuya isn't random. I have plans for him in this story. Small but wicked plans. Muahahaha…There's a line in the story about Byakuya pouring tea for Grimm and it says black hair to describe him. I'm so glad I rechecked the chapter cuz' it turns out had typed 'back hair' instead. ROFL. I also hope that the rhythm of the story isn't too off. I'm trying to keep it in check. I really am but this week's been hell for me.
First my ex-classmate who's been in a coma for ten months had passed away and then the next day, my two cousins died in an accident. I feel so terrible! But I'm better now. Updating this has made my day. Love to you all! The songs 'Please Don't Go' by Mike Posner. Don't forget to comment! Like it? Hate something about it? Just say it and I'll try to fix it, in areas that I can. Till next time!
[1] Haori- The Captain's robe (yeah, the white one)
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