Chapter 11

The next morning, Toushiro woke up with regret. He did not have any feeling towards this girl. He just did it with her and then told her to get out of his room. But he did the same with a different girl the next night, and the night after that. And he felt satisfaction. All of his pent up anger was getting out and he was able to sleep soundly during the night.

Minari, on the other hand, was deeply disappointed that she was able to get inside his room just once. She was motivated to find a way to achieve her goals soon.

"Momo!" She exclaimed cheerfully when she saw Hinamori walking by.

Momo answered with a smile.

"Minari"

"Momo, can I talk to you for a second?"

"Of course."

The girls walked outside in the garden and sat down.

"I know you love the prince deeply. Just like I do."

Hinamori was surprised.

"You do?"

"Yes." Minari was carefully watching her. "That's why I want to be with him. But he is scared. He keeps on calling different women every night, because he is afraid of commitment. But he deserves to find happiness and create a family, right?"

Hinamori was quiet, but nodded in approval.

"Help me, please! Talk to him about me! Say something nice! Would you do that for his happiness and mine?" Minari was looking with big blue innocent eyes and Momo could not refuse, even though she felt some pain inside.

While she was going back to her room looking down, Matsumoto stopped her.

"Hinamori Momo! What is with that expression? You almost become a princess and look so miserable like someone has enslaved you?" Matsumoto smiled.

"Am I not enslaved, Matsumoto? I can't do what I want. I can't even leave the palace without Toushiro's permission."

"It was the same before for all of us. But we both know that whatever you ask of the Prince, he does. You are very lucky! Realize this and stop acting like the victim!" She patted the young girl on the shoulders and continued down the hall.


At the same time Rukia was in the palace, waiting for her brother to invite her in. She was anxious to tell him the news. The servant opened the door and bowed politely. Rukia slowly walked in.

"Your Majesty!" She bowed. Byakuya was sitting behind his desk.

"Rukia. I hope you are here for a good reason." He spoke.

"Yes." She made a pause.

Byakuya was also silent.

"I wanted to tell you the news first. Renji and I…are going to have a child." Rukia spoke nervously while looking carefully at her brother.

He was surprised for a moment, but then something like happiness was written on his face. Rukia was waiting for his words. He stood up and moved closer to her. She got a little scared. Her heart skipped a beat when he suddenly pulled her in for an embrace. This was maybe the first time her brother had done something like this. It was short, of course, but still enough for her to hear his words close to her ear.

"I am happy for you, Rukia!"

He was back to his serious self when he said louder.

"I hope this Empire will be blessed with another honorable member of the Royal family."

Rukia smiled, but looked down to hide the tears that have formed in her eyes.

"Thank you…brother."


"Anyway, I promised Rukia that I will keep this a secret before it is official, but I just can't!" Renji exclaimed with a wide grin.

Ikkaku raised an eyebrow. Yumichika was curiously moving his eyes from one to the other. Kira and Hisagi were impatient.

"I am going to become a father! Can you fucking believe it?" Renji exclaimed.

Yumichika made a loud sound that was similar to a scream. Hisagi smiled widely and patted Renji on the shoulder. Kira was more composed in his reaction but still happy for his friend, while Ikkaku sighed.

"Oh man…" The men turned their heads to him in surprise. "We must have a drink tonight!" he exclaimed with a wide grin, imitating Renji's.

The boys all cheered like there was a battle coming.


Hinamori was waiting for Toushiro to finish his training carefully thinking what to say. When he moved closer to her, pleasantly surprised to see her and still sweaty from his combat practice, she looked up with a smile.

"Hinamori, I am surprised to see you here."

"Yes. But there is something important I have to tell you."

He raised an eyebrow.

"I was thinking about how we both grew up lonely without a real big family. That leaves a trace inside of your soul and you are scared to start your own family, because you may lose it…"

"Hinamori, stop it!" He exhaled loudly and moved past her. "I don't want to listen."

To his surprise, she caught his hand and moved in front of him again. His heart increased his rhythm.

„Please, let me finish. I know you might be scared of commitment, but there is nothing more precious than letting your heart love someone and bravely acting on your feelings."

He was slowly starting to realize what she meant. A shade of pink traced his cheeks.

"Hinamori, I do want to commit myself to one woman."

She smiled.

"Really? I knew it. Minari is definitely a good and beautiful woman. She is just scared to tell you her deep feelings, so maybe you should…"

"Hinamori!" He raised his voice angrily, all of his hopes crashed once again. "Don't you dare tell what I should do! I am the prince here, even if you forget that fact, while you are just a confused concubine!"

He regretted his words immediately but there was no other way to relieve the burning pain inside. Hinamori was shocked, before running away in tears.


The news about Rukia's pregnancy quickly spread around the palace. Aizen and Gin sat in Aizen's chambers, drinking tea.

"Gin, it's not unexpected, but it came quite early. I haven't included this in our plans."

"Then, what do you suggest, captain?" Gin smiled.

Aizen drank a sip of his tea, taking off his glasses.

"If this child is a boy, it will be troublesome. And I don't want to wait to find out."

"Then, we should just pray for an accident?"

"Unfortunate things are part of life, Gin."Aizen smiled back.


Rukia was very excited about her pregnancy so she decided to take extra care of herself, which meant no horse riding for her. It was unfortunate, but she knew it was the best for the baby, so she just visited Sode no Shirayuki every week. Her brother and Renji both insisted she stay away from the animals but Unohana – the royal physician saw no harm if she just visited and caressed the animal, then carefully washed her hands.

Two weeks later, when Rukia went on her regular visit, she found Sode no Shirayuki very agitated and wild. She was worried, but absolutely sure that her favorite horse and friend would never harm her, so she insisted on going inside the stable to touch and calm her. Then everything happened really fast. The horse became even more anxious and kicked Rukia in the abdomen. They quickly took her to the palace, but she was already bleeding and Unohana could not save the baby.

"I am deeply sorry, lieutenant Abarai. I tried my best, but it was no matter of saving the baby, but rather Rukia. The bleeding was too heavy. I hope she recovers fully."

"What does fully mean? Are there any other options?" Renji asked, while fretting in front of the door.

"Unfortunately, there is a risk that she might not be able to conceive again." Unohana quietly said. "I am sorry."

She bowed before Byakuya who was standing behind Renji and walked away. Renji found support in the wall behind him and sat down on the cold floor.

"How do I say that to Rukia?" He looked up to Byakuya, who was quiet and serious as always, but Renji saw that he was also deeply upset.

"You say nothing. She will never fully recover if she knows about this risk."

"But…" Renji was confused.

"You do as I say." Then Byakuya turned to the servant waiting down the corridor. "Send someone to kill Sode no Shirayuki."

Renji quickly got up, his eyes widened.

"You can't do that, captain! Rukia won't be able to handle it."

Byakuya's expression was scary now.

"This horse is the reason everything happened. Clearly, something is wrong with it. So we should get rid of it!"

"No! We already lost the baby. If Rukia loses another precious thing, we might lose her!" Renji shouted.

Byakuya looked at him coldly.


Hinamori was still sitting in her room when Matsumoto entered.

"Momo, how much longer are you going to sit here like a prisoner and cry over that sentence?"

Hinamori looked up angrily.

"This is the first time someone has humiliated me! And he is not just someone, but a precious friend to me!"

"You humiliated him, Hinamori!" Matsumoto sat next to her.

"I tried to be a good friend!" Hinamori tried to explain.

Matsumoto raised her hand.

"Momo, you do not understand, so I will say it clearly. Our prince is in love with you!" Matsumoto sighed. "He does not want romantic advises from the person he loves. It is very simple. And he is proud. So you hurt his feelings deeply and he said something he does not think to protect himself."

Momo's cheeks were pink and she looked confused.

"It is not true. We are just friends." She was not confident in her words.

"Hinamori, if you want to make him happy, be with him. If you can't share his feelings, stay away. There is no other option from now on."


Later that day, Rukia regained consciousness. She found Renji sitting next to her on the bed.

"Renji?" Rukia tried to speak, but only a whisper came out.

"It's ok, Rukia. Just rest now." He tried to smile but it was impossible. He was never a good liar.

Rukia looked around. She was in her old room. That was obvious. But there was this awful hospital smell. And she felt so weak. Sode no Shirayuki, the baby, everything was coming back one by one.

"Did I lose the baby?" She asked, tears already rolling down her cheeks.

Renji felt awful. He did not know what to say, so he just nodded his head. Rukia knew it, but the confirmation crashed her tiny hopes. She bit her lip, trying to suppress the sobs that were about to overwhelm her. She moved to the side, not wanting to face Renji, who was also trying to fight the tears. He moved closer, trying to wrap her in his arms, but she just weakly said.

"Please, Renji…just leave me alone."

He obliged and went outside. Standing right behind the door, he heard her sobs, no longer suppressed and broke down in tears too, sliding down to the floor.


Meanwhile, Hinamori was walking around the palace, deep in thoughts. She stopped in her tracks, when Toushiro's name ringed in her ears. There were some of the girls, talking.

"I swear, he is so handsome and passionate!"

The others giggled. Hinamori hid behind the wall, listening.

"And he is well endowed too." More giggles, as Hinamori felt blood rushing to her face.

"I am looking forward to spending another night with him. I don't know which satisfies me more – watching his sweaty focused face or feeling him inside me."

Hinamori was scandalized by their dirty words. And there was something heavy inside her chest too. She had realized for the first time what actually happened behind those doors. Touhsiro was not her little friend anymore. He was an object of sexual desire.

"Shut up, you fools!" Another voice, this time familiar flew to her ears. Minari! "Enjoy yourself all you want, but soon I am going to erase the smiles from your faces. Tonight I will be back in his highness's room. I have calculated everything. Tonight I will get pregnant and then I will rule here."

"Why are you so sure, Minari?"

"I asked one of the maids to help me secure this date and the midwife helped me calculate everything. This is the most suitable time. Then, after I give birth to a son, no one will be able to eliminate me. The prince will become my slave and little stupid Momo my personal maid!"

Behind the wall, Hinamori's eyes widened.

She was determined to save Toushiro from the trap she had personally helped in creating. No matter what, Minari was not going to spend this night with him. And no more nights after that too. She was running towards his door, using the shortest way. When she reached her destination she stormed in, as the guards tried to stop her. Toushiro was inside, dressed in his night robes.

"What is this, Hinamori?"

"Please, let me stay!" She said, feeling breathless from the running and her increased heartbeat.

"I am expecting someone." He said, as one of the guards caught her hand.

"Please, it is important!"

He was confused for a moment, then gave a sign to the guards to leave them alone.

"I am all ears!"

Hinamori was thinking what to do. If she said the truth it would sound very stupid. She was the one to ask him to accept Minari and he wouldn't want to listen. What could she do? She moved closer catching his hands with hers and looking into his eyes.

"Please, don't accept that woman in your room tonight."

He sighed and tried to move away. She caught his robes with force.

"What is wrong with you? Why would you ask that of me?"

She had no time to think and did the most impulsive thing ever – kissed him. Both of them were in shock.

"What does this mean?" He asked, hoping that the dim light was hiding his blush.

"It means that I want to be with you." She said loudly, surprising both him and herself.

"What?" She was too confused by her behavior and moved away, facing the balcony door.

She was thinking what else to say, when the guards opened the door, announcing that Minari was waiting outside. Toushiro told them to wait and moved back to Hinamori.

"Momo, go back to your room and think rationally. You seem very confused."

"No!" She was determined to save him form that cunning girl. And if there was no other way, fine. Matsumoto was right. It was about to happen sooner or later.

"I don't want you meeting with that woman…or any other! Make me yours tonight!"

She could not meet his look from embarrassment so she threw her arms around him in an embrace and rested her face on his shoulder.

Toushiro was shocked. The guard went inside again and Hinamori moved away.

"Send her away!" Toushiro said and Hinamori realized that he was talking about Minari, relieved.

She was still looking away, feeling his gaze was fixed on her. Toushiro moved her chin up to look in her eyes.

"Are you sure?" He was looking carefully.

"Yes." Momo answered and while he observed that she was scared, he thought it was normal for a girl like her.

Then he moved closer and pressed his lips to hers. She answered the kiss and he wrapped his hands around her waist. His forehead rested against hers, taking a deep breath. Next thing were his hands taking off her robes.


New longer chapter for all of you! Thank you for your comments! :) I hope you continue to follow this story with excitement! Will Renji and Rukia be able to overcome this pain? Did Hinamori do the right thing or is she about to complicate the situation more? What do you think?