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Hisana would never be able to explain the blinding pain she was feeling. Everything was happening too fast; her Byakuya was alive and safe and her child decided he wanted to be born. She felt like her insides were being twisted around and stabbed, but then the pain would subside, then come back after a few moments. The cold air whipped past them as Byakuya carried her toward the manor.

She looked up at Byakuya lovingly. His face was hard with concern, so she lifted her hand to caress his face. He looked down at her briefly, then directed his cool gaze forward.

Before she knew it, she felt he back on warm covers and noticed that they were back in their room in the manor. She noticed him wince as he was standing. "Are you alright?" Byakuya gave her a soft look. "I'll be fine. I'm going to get a doctor." Hisana nodded as another surge of pain racked through her and she let out a pained moan. He kneeled by her and kissed her forehead. "Try and stay calm. I'll be back soon."

Once he left, the pain subsided again. Hisana struggled into a sitting position and took deep ragged breaths. She hoped, and knew that this was a foolish thought, that this wasn't all just an incredibly vivid dream. She hoped that she wasn't just hallucinating from the pain. Hisana shook her head at the thought and tried to focus her breathing as the child moved roughly against her once more.

Byakuya returned with Doctor Ume, dressed for bed, but carrying several towels and a pitcher of steaming water. Byakuya carried a small basin for her, placed it on the nearby vanity and kneeled next to Hisana tenderly. "It's nice to see you again, Lady Kuchiki. I've been quite worried about you," Ume said cleaning her hands. Hisana smiled stiffly. "Thank you. That means a lot to me."

Ume knelt at Hisana's feet and examined her thoroughly. "You know this is quite early," she mumbled. "I know. What-" Ume shook her head quickly. "The child is coming now; he'll be out by morning." Hisana felt her pulse increase in pace. "What if he isn't ready? What if-"

"Just worry about getting through the night, my lady. Stress will only make this experience worse. Now," she said abruptly, "I would suggest laying on your side for a while. It will help with dilation." Hisana shifted her weight and turned on her side, as requested.

The hours went by rather slowly. Byakuya spoke to her through it all. Even when she told him to rest, he refused, taking her hand to his lips. He kept their conversations casual, but she sensed that he had a great deal to ask her; his eyes held a mix of fatherly anxiety, sweet love, and furious anger. Hisana spoke to him softly, to quell whatever hurt he was feeling. They would speak seriously later.

Before she knew it, a particularly painful contraction hit her, and she shut her eyes tightly to the pain, squeezing her husband's hand. She felt him stroke her hair and murmur soothing words in her ear. Byakuya helped her roll onto her back and into a sitting position.

Much of this time was a blur. Hisana was told that everything was nearly over, but she could only focus on the pain.

"You have to push now, my lady." Hisana did so, as the feeling came naturally. She tossed back her head and let out a rough scream. She felt Byakuya's firm hands clasp around her shoulders to support her. She continued to push when the need came and stop when Ume commanded her to. Before long sweat was poring down her face and across her chest.

The excitement in the room grew as Ume announced that she could see the child's head. She beckoned Hisana to push one last time, and she did, with a deep grunt.

They all went silent, until the first cries of the child filled the room.

Hisana had little energy to respond to the quick, tender kisses her husband was placing on her lips, cheeks and forehead. The baby was taken and cleaned by Ume. "My lord," she said with a knowing smile, "behold your son."

Byakuya stood and took to small, pink child in his arms, a bit awkwardly to start, but then with swift confidence. He looked at their son for a long while, his eyes narrow with affection then kissed him before handing him to Hisana. She stared in awe at the tiny baby and let a few tears trickle down her cheeks. She held him to her and looked at Byakuya proudly, who was seated next to her once more.

"Hisana," he murmured so softly she could barely hear him, "this is what I've always wanted." He kissed her deeply, his body shaking with emotion. "Thank you," he whispered against her lips. "Thank you, my love."

Hisana didn't remember much of the first day. After she fed her son for the first time, she fell into a deep sleep until late into the evening. When she woke up, she was dressed in a silk robe and felt completely clean. The bed linens were changed and her son slept soundly next to her in the crib she ordered for him months ago. She reached out and stroked his soft, black hair, careful not to wake him.

After a few minutes, Byakuya walked into their room and sat beside her, his arm draped around her shoulder. "How are you feeling," he asked her. "I'll be fine," she replied sighing. "I feel like I'm dreaming, Byakuya. I can't believe that you're here and alive. I thought I'd lost you forever." He pulled her tighter against him. "This is all surreal to me too," he chucked lightly.

Hisana doodled absent-mindedly across his chest. "What do you think we should name him?" she asked. Byakuya was silent for a while. "Hikaru, if that pleases you," he answered finally. Hisana moved away from him to take the boy in her arms. "What do you think of that, my precious little treasure," she whispered to the rousing child, "Do you like the name 'Hikaru'." As if in response, he opened his eyes, blinked and reached out to her, making a soft sound of pleasure.

Hisana smiled at Byakuya, who was also smiling warmly, then down at their son. "We love you, Hikaru. And I promise to always love you and protect you, no matter what."


Over the next several days, every lord, lady and shinigami Hisana knew came to meet Hikaru. Rukia returned home from the World of the Living once she heard the news and spent as much time with her nephew as she could. Everyone had a genuine kindness when the professed to her that he would make her proud.

Despite having been born early, he had exceptional health and grew quickly. Hisana quickly recovered from the birth and fell into motherhood keenly. She liked tending to Hikaru, who was rather affectionate and quick to smile. He rarely cried and was calm and playful most of the time. Byakuya was also given eight weeks leave from his responsibilities at his Squad's barracks to spend at home.

One night, once Hisana put Hikaru down bed, she joined him in the antechamber near the fire for tea. They shared a relaxing silence for a long time. "Byakuya," she started, trying to find the words to tell him. "I've been keeping something from you." He looked at her, his face concerned. "I-I know how I died before."

She told him everything she knew, about the poison and the Elders involvement. and watched as his body shook with rage and his eyes darken furiously. "I don't want you to punish them, Byakuya."

His eyes widened slightly and he placed his cup on a nearby table, then took her hands. "Hisana, what they did is the ultimate betrayal. It's treason. On top of that, they banished you, when they had no right to do so, and they knew you were carrying my son. How can I have people that would betray me like this, help me run my household? I will never forgive them for this."

"But you can't deny that their wisdom is needed. You can't run the house without them," she reasoned. "I will not allow them to think that they can get away with murder. I will not allow the people who made me suffer for nearly sixty years think that-"

"Byakuya, you can't kill them. They're your family. People would hate you if they died. There's too much to lose if you killed them." He looked away from her and glared into the fire. "I will take what you said to heart," he stated darkly, "but I cannot promise that they won't be punished for this."

He stood abruptly, pivoting his body toward the door and Hisana stood and embraced him tightly. "Byakuya," she began, but stopped when he removed her hands from around his waist and placed his hands firmly on her shoulders. "Hisana, I just need time to think. Please, just give me some time." With that, he strode out of the room and Hisana dropped into a chair, her heart cold.


I wonder what Byakuya's gonna do...

Hmmmm

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