Hisana bowed, her jasmine aura wafting beatifically around her as she moved, carrying his son; they were both adorned in pure white. Her long black hair hung loose and she smiled at him as she passed the infant to him. She gently showed him how to support the baby's neck and then sat back, watching his flat face falter. The tiniest of grins peeled the corner of his mouth back.

"Kuchiki, Hisaaki. Is this acceptable?" Hisana couldn't believe it was actually true and bowed in bewilderment. "After the twenty second leader of the Kuchiki family."

"A very wise and compassionate leader." Ginrei nodded his consent as he entered the room in his silk. Byakuya stroked the smooth tuft of black hair that decorated his son's head before passing him slowly back to Hisana.

"It is rare for such intimate moments as these between the family, I treasure it." Byakuya said taking a deep breath through his mouth with closed eyes. He ground the ink against the stone and dripped water in languidly until it was the desired consistency. Hisana tried not to stare at how fine of ink he was using and averted her eyes to her cherub-cheeked son, who stared back at her with warm brown eyes.

She then watched as Byakuya expertly lowered his calligraphy brush down to the parchment and cast the first few strokes. Once all the strokes had been completed he sat back and rolled his fingers into fists that rested in the joints of his hips. Ginrei bristled with pride that he could barely contain. Those grey eyes set in the old man's face turned and gazed at Hisana who couldn't meet his stare.

"You have fulfilled the ultimate duty to this family. For that you will always have a place of honor among the Kuchiki ancestors." Ginrei spoke warmly and Hisana looked up in astonishment, and Hisaaki cooed happily. She cooed back to him, proffering one finger for her son to wrap the entirety of his hand around.

"It is a fine son you have given to me." Byakuya's compliment was much more stiff and selfish and she cringed at the nature of the sentiment. It did not matter for he was too enamored of his son to notice her.

Ginrei watched this exchange inquisitively. "My lady, since Hisaaki is lacking in grandmothers, I must propose another candidate to look after Hisaaki during your time of relaxation."

"My lord?"

"My daughter, Lady Seijun."

"Grandfather?" Byakuya spoke up. "I do not think that is-"

"Nonsensicality is a terrible trait in a leader." Ginrei silenced Byakuya quite harshly. The color in Byakuya's lips drained from the force he used to keep his mouth shut.

"Hisana is of the peasantry. They aren't used to having others take care of their offspring."

"She will get to take care of her son when she is well enough to resume her duties in your bed. One night," Ginrei chuffed at the absurdity that they still had only been intimate once. "I will take my leave now." Left alone with him, Hisana tried to fight it but the pain became too much and she whimpered. He looked at her.

"You're in pain. How might I assist?" She scrunched her face into a hard smile.

"I'm afraid it might disturb his lordship,"

"I insist."

"I couldn't."

"But I insisted." Hisana pulled the outer flap of her robes back and revealed blood and pus around her breast seeping through.

"Hisana," He reached out for her but she quickly covered herself conservatively. "What does the physician say? I still haven't received a report about the labor."

"I'm afraid the only son I can give you is Hisaaki, my lord." He cusped her hand in reassurance.

"I avoided our bed together to prove a point. I see now how it has affected you,"

"No, my lord," Hisana eyes welled with tears. "The only treasure I can offer now is my motherhood to Hisaaki only." He pulled his hand away.

"If you are telling me you only want one child, I'm afraid it simply won't do." Tears gushed from her eyes.

"I wanted to give as many children to the most generous man I've ever known. But I must not!"

"You dare to be insolent with that back-handed-" Hisana kissed his hand softly.

"You've been so hurt by a woman. You don't know how to properly love one." He gripped her waist carefully but firmly.

"I could bed you all night long and prove you wrong." He growled at her insult.

"That's my point. Love isn't all sexual relations! So I beg of you, take a mistress, take three. Please, my lord! I will find you the most beautiful concubines you've ever beheld; I swear it on my life!"

"What an odd wife you are."

"You don't want me in that way, you know how pathetic I am at it-"

"That is for me to decide."