Chapter 12
Ichigo abruptly woke up to the sound of pots and pans banging and falling to the floor. He sat up quickly in a panic. He looked over the couch to see his petite fiancée looking for a skillet which she finally found.
He couldn't help but laugh at her, she could be such a clutz. He then remembered the previous night. He remembered over hearing Ulquiorra and Rukia's conversation. His smile quickly faded and he stood up. He began to pick up the blanket and pillow he had used. Rukia noticed the sound of shuffling and looked to see that Ichigo was awake.
"I'm sorry, if I woke you" Rukia apologized, Ichigo didn't answer he just kept folding the blanket. "Good Morning" Rukia said raising her voice.
"Yeah" Was all he said.
"Ichigo can you talk to me" Rukia yelled.
"I hope you finished packing, I don't plan to miss the flight" Ichigo answered. He didn't even look at her; he just got the blanket and pillow and walked into the room.
Rukia huffed in anger. She hated how stubborn he could be. She knew he was upset and he had every right to be but just giving her the silent treatment wasn't going to fix their relationship.
Rukia turned back to the skillet and decided she would just prepare breakfast. Renji walked out of his room, woke up by the pots banging and Rukia's yelling.
"Thanks for the wake up call" Renji yawned as he entered the kitchen. Rukia turned to see her best friend in his pajamas with no top on.
"Can you put a shirt on?" Rukia begged shielding her eyes. "My fiancé doesn't need to see my male best friend speaking to me with his shirt off"
"Can you piss him off more?" Renji teased. Rukia glared at him and went back to trying to make breakfast.
"I'm sorry" Renji laughed. "You are leaving today; I don't get to tease you like this anymore"
"Well this isn't the time to tease me!" Rukia snapped "Ichigo isn't speaking to me. I can't believe how upset he is with me"
"You kissed Ulquiorra" Renji reminded her
"Correction he kissed me"
"But you let it happen" Renji reminded. Rukia realized Renji was right. She gave up on the conversation and her attempt to make breakfast.
"This trip did not go according to plan at all" Rukia said out loud.
"True, but you saw your grandfather, you confronted Byakuya and Kaien"
"I guess I did" Rukia said smiling to herself.
"You think Kaien meant what he said about being there for Mamoru" Renji inquired "by the way you should let me do the cooking" He added before he stole the skillet from Rukia.
"I hope Kaien meant it. Mamoru seems so happy to know his father. Mamoru probably doesn't understand what's going on" Rukia confessed.
"I will kill Kaien, if he backs out now" Renji growled. Rukia smiled and lightly smacked him. Renji loved to pull the tough guy act.
"Rukia, if you need anything please don't hesitate to call me. I know you will busy planning a wedding and getting ready for your baby but I don't forget to check in" Renji stated. Rukia smiled.
"I know I worried you before and I am sorry" Rukia apologized.
"And the Ichigo thing, just give him some time, wait until you guys get on the plane or get to Karakura. He needs some time to cool down" Renji suggested. Rukia simply nodded. She didn't like the advice because she didn't want Ichigo upset anymore but Renji was right.
"You have a few hours left here, what do you want to do?" Renji asked as he began to make pancake batter.
"I want to see my grandfather" Rukia said immediately. Renji nodded, "We can head there after breakfast"
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Byakuya Kuchiki sat at his desk in his huge office. It had two huge bay windows. There was low white carpet with a clear glass desk, his desk chair and two guest chairs. He had two computers on his desk, a phone and paper work.
Byakuya found himself distracted from work due to the events that happened last night. His sister had a son. A son that she had with a respected married man. He didn't understand how something like that could happen and he had no idea.
When Rukia dropped out of college and left, Byakuya's company was doing very well and he had to be a full time CEO, so he didn't have time to worry about her. He asked a few of his people to find out where she went. It was hard because they couldn't find a Rukia Kuchiki anywhere. Byakuya didn't concern himself because he knew Rukia couldn't survive long without coming home.
Byakuya could tell the girl was unhappy with living with him but at least she had money and power, so he expected her to stay. As time went on, his grandfather pressured Byakuya to find Rukia. Byakuya then had his people question the students at school. Byakuya question Ulquiorra Cifer and Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez himself. Both men obviously knew more than others but they refused to talk. He ended up hired both of them because he was impressed by their ability to withhold information from him. Their loyalty was something to admired.
Byakuya finally was able to find out Rukia's friend Renji haf withdrawn from school at the same time she did. By this time, Renji has accepted a job in Tokyo was moving back. Byakuya discovered Renji shared an apartment in Kyoto recently with a Rukia Abarai and he had found her. But she was no longer in Kyoto, but had taken a bus to Karakura.
His people found out she was living in Karakura and Byakuya called off his search. He had been putting in too much time, trying to chase the woman. He decided he would allow her to try to make it on her own. Clearly she had Renji's help in Kyoto but not in Karakura. All he had to do was wait. He made visits to Renji in order to hint that he knew where Rukia was. He just wanted Rukia to come back on her own. He even gave Renji the invitation meant for Rukia to make it known that Byakuya was waiting for her. Things took a different turn when Ginrei had a heart attack and ended up in the hospital. Byakuya realized that Rukia would definitely come back if she knew. He visited Renji again and informed him.
It was only a couple days later when the hospital informed him that Rukia had just sighed in as a visitor at the hospital. He left his office immediately and went to meet her. Seeing her there, she looked well. Like nothing had changed expect she seemed mature, until of course she saw him. Byakuya kept his cool composure but decided to be nicer than normal, which seemed to freak his younger sister out. Byakuya was happy to know he could still have control over her. However he was not expecting last night to happen. He had no idea Rukia had a son the whole time and with one of his respected lawyers, Kaien Shiba. Then there was another pregnancy with another man, who wasn't a noble man or a business man.
Byakuya realized he no longer had control over Rukia when she yelled at him and when she left with her fiancé and child. People were beginning to talk about the instability in the Kuchiki home. They even said it was because Byakuya was not ready to head of the family. But he would prove to people he still had power and he deserved to be head of the Kuchiki Family.
There was a light knock at Byakuya's office door. "Come in" Byakuya called out. The door opened to reveal a relatively short woman with peach skin and short brown hair. "Good Morning Mr. Kuchiki"
"Yes, Kanisawa" he said to his secretary.
"Just reminding you that you have a meeting with the Board of Finance at 11AM, then you have a lunch meeting with the Mayor at 1PM"
"Is that all?" Byakuya said as he looked through the paper work on his desk.
"Mr. Ulquiorra Cifer is here to see you also" She added. Byakuya looked up at her, "Send him in"
The woman nodded and closed the door behind her. Within the minute the door opened again and Ulquiorra walked in.
"Good Morning Mr. Kuchiki" Ulquiorra greeted and bowed.
"Sit" Byakuya said as he looked at him. Ulquiorra nodded and sat at the chair in front of the desk. Byakuya looked at the man as he took his seat and kept looking as they made eye contact.
"Did you know of Rukia's child?" Byakuya asked right away. This did not surprise Ulquiorra. He had been working for Byakuya for a couple years now; he knew how the man worked.
"Yes I did" Ulquiorra answered truthfully. Both men with cold look in their eyes.
"So she trusts you?" Byakuya asked. Ulquiorra was not expecting that response. He expected to be scolded first.
"She did" Ulquiorra began, "I lied to her about working for you"
"Regain her trust" Byakuya said standing up and fixing his suit. Ulquiorra raised his eyebrow.
"Regain it?"
"Yes, I believe you can hear. Regain her trust and bring her back to Tokyo" Byakuya ordered.
"I don't think she has left to Karakura, I can see if I can get her before her plane"
"Its too late for that. She won't stay here as long as she is with that man" Byakuya explained. Ulquiorra knew that he meant Ichigo.
"You will regain her trust, break their engagement then bring her back" Ulquiorra let Byakuya's words sink in. Byakuya had thought about this. Byakuya would never just tell him to do this without carefully planning it.
"What is the plan Mr. Kuchiki?" Ulquiorra asked. Byakuya smirked then began to explain what he had in store.
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Renji's car pulled up in front of the hospital. Renji and Rukia were in the front, Ichigo and Mamoru were in the back seat and their entire luggage was in the trunk.
Renji turned off the car and got out as Rukia exited. Ichigo was confused as to what was going on. "You are leaving us in the car?" Ichigo yelled
"No, carrot top, we are all going in" he said. Ichigo looked confused. Mamoru excitedly jumped out the car, he didn't know what was going on but he was just happy to be included.
"I didn't agree to this, I said we could stop by the hospital before we caught our flight, I never said I was going inside." Ichigo argued.
Rukia who was already near the door turned to Ichigo "Can you please come inside"
Ichigo was about to object when he felt Mamoru take his hand. "Please, can we go inside Mr. Ichigo?"
Ichigo sighed in defeat. He found it so hard to say no to the little boy. "Sure"
Rukia smiled at the kindness Ichigo showed Mamoru. Ichigo refused to have Mamoru worry about anything so he never got too confrontational with Mamoru around.
The four of them entered the hospital. Mamoru realized that this isn't a really fun place to be and wondered who he could have been visiting.
Rukia was able to quickly check in at the nurse station then she guided everyone to the elevator. Rukia felt nervous. She wondered how her grandfather would react. She began to wonder if Byakuya would pop up again. She wasn't ready to face him again. Once the elevator reached the 4th floor, Rukia guided them to Ginrei's room. She stopped short in front of his room and turned to everyone else.
"Renji is coming in with me first" Rukia explained.
"We have to wait?" Ichigo asked impatiently. "Why can't we go in mommy?" Mamoru inquired.
"It's all about timing" was all Rukia said. Rukia turned around and knocked. Ginrei called out for her to come in and she obeyed with Renji right behind her.
Ginrei looked up and saw Rukia walk in, which brought a small smile to his face, then he noticed Rukia's red head friend and his face became neutral.
"Good Morning Grandfather" Rukia greeted.
Good Morning Mr. Kuchiki" Renji greeted after.
"Renji Abarai," Ginrei called out as he looked at him, "I don't know whether to kill you or thank you"
Renji gulped hearing that while Rukia chuckled. Even though Ginrei sounded serious, she knew he was just teasing.
"I apologize for hiding the truth from you, but I had a loyalty to Rukia" Renji confessed. Ginrei looked at man then gave him a smile.
"Thank you Renji" Ginrei said, Renji perked up hearing this. "You sacrificed your young life to help Rukia, for that I am grateful"
"Rukia is my best friend and she helped save my life, I would do anything for her" Renji said proudly.
Rukia blushed hearing this. Renji had always been such a good friend and she really believes that she didn't deserve him.
"Rukia is a special woman" Ginrei added. Rukia couldn't help the smile that spread across her face.
"Thank you so much grandfather" Rukia said as she went to hug him. Ginrei embraced his granddaughter happily. He missed her so much.
"Rumor has it that you showed up to the banquet" Ginrei said. Rukia and Renji looked at each other and looked down nervously. Ginrei noticed this and laughed, "Tell me what happened.
"Nothing to tell, Byakuya knows about my son and my fiancé" Rukia confessed.
"And how do you feel?" Ginrei asked
"Free" Rukia said smiling, Ginrei laughed and clapped. "Good, now, when can I meet my great grandson and my future grandson in law?"
Rukia grinned happily and turned to the door. "Ichigo, come in" Rukia called out. Ginrei was surprised when the door to his room opened. He saw a tall man with orange hair and brown eyes then in his hand was the hand of a small child with black hair and blue eyes.
"Good Afternoon Mr. Kuchiki" Ichigo greeted. Ginrei was in shock, more by the little boy. He looked just like Rukia.
"Grandfather, this is my fiancé, Ichigo Kurosaki" Rukia said as she stood in between Ichigo and Mamoru. "And this is my son, and your great-grandson Mamoru"
"He is your grandpa?" Mamoru asked curiously as he looked to his mother. Rukia nodded at her son and Mamoru looked back at the man. He let go of Ichigo's hand and approached the hospital bed.
Ginrei just watched the little boy as he approached; He had a chubby face which reminded him of a young Rukia. Ginrei went to pick up the boy. Rukia panicked as she saw her grandfather pick him up. She was scared he may hurt his back.
Ginrei however easily put Mamoru on the bed with him. Rukia looked at the two nervously. Ginrei was trying to grasp the fact that the boy was his great-grandson.
"You're mother lied to me" Ginrei said to Mamoru. Mamoru looked at the man confused while Rukia worried what Ginrei was saying.
"She said she had a little boy," He said before he began to smile, "but you are a big man" Ginrei began to tickled the boy and Mamoru laughed happily.
Rukia , Ichigo and Renji sighed in happiness as Ginrei happily accepted Mamoru.
"You will grow up to be a strong man" Ginrei said
"I hope so, I want to protect my mommy like Mr. Ichigo" Mamoru said as he pointed to the orange haired man. Ginrei looked to Ichigo and his smile disappeared.
"You are my granddaughter's fiancé?" Ginrei questioned looking at Ichigo. Ichigo stepped forward. "Yes I am"
"I'm going to be honest when I say I am not a fan of you proposing marriage to her without my consent, but since the circumstances did not favor it, I will overlook it" Ginrei said. He then put Mamoru down from the bed, and slowly stood up. Rukia was nervous and ran to help him up. "Please sit grandfather"
He shook his head and stood tall, as tall as Ichigo and Renji. "You, Ichigo Kurosaki, have impregnated my granddaughter before marriage. I could kill you for doing that to my granddaughter like I plan to kill Kaien but as long as you promise to love and protect Rukia, I will give you my blessing"
Ichigo looked at Ginrei firmly and nodded his head. "She is carrying my child; I plan to protect her with my very own life"
Rukia could feel her heart swelling with happiness but she knew Ichigo was just saying these things now. He was still upset and she would still have to fix her mistakes.
"I trust that you will" Ginrei replied as he stuck out his hand. Ichigo took his hand and shook it. Rukia was just happy that things were ending in Tokyo on a more positive note.
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Miyako opened the door to her home. She had just got back from doing a morning run and grocery shopping. She closed the door behind her and brought the brown bags to the kitchen.
She started to put the food away in the fridge and cabinets. Soon Kaien walked into the kitchen. He looked tired with his grey t-shirt and black sweatpants. Miyako noticed her husband walking in and gave him a quick glance then returned to putting everything away.
"Hello Miyako" Kaien greeted her. She simply kept doing what she was doing not looking at him. "Kaien" she said coldly. Kaien sighed as he realized Miyako was still too upset to even speak to him.
Kaien walked up to her and stopped her from putting things away.
"Miyako can we talk about this?" Kaien pleaded. He knew that she was upset about Rukia and his child. He didn't know how she found out but what's done is done , now he would have to talk it out.
"Now you would like to talk" she said as she faced her husband. "After you realized that I found out your little secret." Miyako walked away from him and out of the kitchen in anger, Kaien followed closely behind.
"Can you slow down?" Kaien asked as he grabbed her arm. "Can you at least listen to what I have to say." Miyako stopped but didn't turn to look at him.
"I at least owe you an explanation." Kaien stated. Miyako sighed. She did want to know. She needed to know to get some sort of sanity back.
"Fine" was all she said before she got out of his grip and took a seat on the couch right next to her. Kaien took a seat across from her and sat down. He looked at her and was nervous seeing the hurt look in her eyes. He didn't know how to explain himself to her. He didn't know where to start. He looked down nervously as he began to quickly plan how he was going to tell her.
Miyako was now getting impatient; she knew her husband was confused on how to start so she decided to just get her answers.
"How and when did you meet her?" Miyako asked referring to Rukia. Kaien was shocked by the question but he knew he had to answer her and be truthful.
"When I was teaching the lower level business course, she was my student, it was six years ago." He answered.
"How long were you sleeping with her?" Miyako asked coldly.
"We began seeing each other shortly after I began private tutoring her" Kaien was finding this hard to do. He didn't want to say anything to hurt Miyako more. "We were together for several months, I honestly don't remember how long exactly"
"The child? Did you really just abandon them?" Miyako asked with some sadness in her voice. She couldn't believe that Kaien had a son who he probably never saw because he was either with her or at work.
"Miyako, when I found out she was pregnant, I realized I was being an idiot. I was so scared I was going to lose you"
"Should have thought about before you had sex with your student" Miyako spat.
"I know and I was a fool back then but I didn't abandon her, I asked her to please terminate the child."
"But she kept it anyway" Miyako added.
"I didn't know until the boy was two. She had run away and I assumed she had an abortion."
"How could you ask the girl to get rid of her child, your child?" Miyako yelled.
"Because I was afraid to lose you" Kaien confessed. "I knew I fucked up badly and I was trying to make it right"
"We have been trying to have a baby for years! How do I know that you didn't want that child" Miyako asked as tears came down her cheek. "Your lover gets pregnant when I couldn't, you expect me to believe you love me?"
"Yes, I do Miyako. I had feelings for Rukia, I did but when I realized I would die than be without you, I tried to end things."
"Convenient that she had to get pregnant for you to realize you love me" Miyako remarked.
"There is nothing I can say to justify my actions. I did have feelings for Rukia and I was confused but I realized that I love you more than life." Kaien began. "I should have told you once Rukia told me about my son but I was so scared so I just sent her money every month to help her out."
Miyako didn't want to hear anymore. She was ready to get up but Kaien stopped her.
"Please Miyako, I love you with my heart and soul and I know you hate me but please I need you to at least try to forgive me."
"No!" Miyako yelled. "You still abandon Rukia and your son, just so you can keep our marriage. Your priorities are severely skewed."
"I know, I should have handled it better but I will start today." Kaien declared. "I am going to be more in my son's life."
Miyako looked up as she heard the determination in Kaien's voice. "Finally you are acting like a man" Miyako said before she walked over to the steps. Kaien realized he couldn't say anything else for now. He was just happy to tell her his truth. Before she climbed up the stairs he called for her. He just had to know one thing.
"How did you know about Rukia and Mamoru?" Kaien asked her. Miyako had her back to him as she was half way up the stairs.
"The clinic where Mamoru was born was burned down" Miyako began, she turned to her husband. "They retrieved some records but they had no idea where the mother had gone to, so they mailed Mamoru's birth records to you since you are on the birth certificate as Mamoru's father. I happened to see the mail and read it."
Kaien was shocked. He wasn't expecting that answer.
"The reason I read it was because the envelope said 'Parents of Mamoru Shiba', I got curious." Miyako said before ascending up the rest of the stairs. Kaien watched his wife disappear into the room. He prayed that she would forgive him. He didn't want to lose her.
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Rukia couldn't help but smile widely as Ichigo's car pulled up in front of her apartment building. She was back in Karakura.
The visit in the hospital didn't last too long. Rukia promised to visit her grandfather again and they all said their goodbyes. Renji drove them straight to the airport after that where they all bid farewell. It was a very emotional goodbye for Rukia and Mamoru because they knew it would be a while before they saw Renji again. Ichigo and Renji shared a friendly hug. Both men had created a weird but quick friendship in the short time they knew each other.
After that they hopped on the plane and headed back to Karakura.
"Home sweet home" Rukia said to herself. Ichigo was sort of glad she felt so at home in Karakura. It assured him that she hadn't left her heart in Tokyo.
"Yeah, Home sweet home" Mamoru repeated happily. Ichigo and Rukia carried her and Mamoru's luggage up to the apartment.
Rukia unlocked her door and was welcomed by the happy and familiar scent of her home. She really was glad to be home.
"I have to poop" Mamoru said suddenly as he bolted past his mother to get to the bathroom. Rukia laughed knowing that Mamoru had been holding it in for a while but he refused to use the bathroom on the plane because he was scared his poop would fall out the plane and land on someone.
Ichigo decided to take his leave "We have a doctor's appoint tomorrow morning" Ichigo said as he turned to leave. It was the first thing he had said to her since this morning in Tokyo. He hadn't spoken to her the whole trip back and she was sick of it.
"You are not leaving!" Rukia demanded. Ichigo turned to her a bit thrown off by her tone but more annoyed.
"I'm not in the mood" Ichigo snapped back.
"You are not leaving! You're not leaving me or your child!" Rukia demanded once again. She was livid that he wasn't trying to talk things out. Ichigo was now beyond annoyed her turned fully facing her and cornered her. "I would never leave you pregnant with my child" Ichigo growled.
Rukia was scared as he spoke to her. She had hit a nerve. "How do I know letting you leave won't result in you never coming back"
"Stop thinking I'm Kaien!" Ichigo barked. Rukia kept quiet once his voiced boomed. "Like I said I would never leave the mother of my child!"
"Mother of your child?" Rukia snapped back. "I thought I was your fiancée, the woman you love, now I'm just an obligation!"
"Rukia, right now I am trying to make sense of all the bulshit that happened in Tokyo. Like who the hell is this Ulquiorra guy and why the hell didn't you tell me I look like the father of your son."
Rukia calmed down. She realized Ichigo was so confused and upset. Rukia hadn't lied to him but she wasn't always open with him. "Then let me explain" Rukia said calmly. Ichigo looked at her and sighed.
"Fine" He backed away and took a seat in her living room. Just then Mamoru waltzed out the bathroom.
"Did you wash your hands?" Rukia questioned. Mamoru nodded.
"Go in the room, mommy and Mr. Ichigo have to talk" Rukia ordered. Mamoru nodded and obeyed his mother as he skipped to the room and closed the door. Rukia walked over to Ichigo as sat next to him on the couch.
They say in silence for ten seconds as Rukia took a huge deep breath.
"Do you have any questions for me first?" Rukia asked.
"Tell me everything" Ichigo replied firmly.
End Of Chapter 12
Okay so I know I said I would explain the history behind Kaien and Ulquiorra but I decided to break this chapter in two. It already took me forever to update this chapter.
I am really busy because I have a 15pg paper for my psych class that has to get done but as soon as that is done I will dedicate a whole day to writing chapter 13.
Next Chapter: Flashback of Rukia's time in college, Her relationship with Kaien and Ulquiorra is revealed in more detail.
Only because I love you guys I'll give you the preview for chapter 14 and the start of the new arc.
Preview of Chapter 14: (Rukia talk to Shuhei about his love life)(Orihime and Rukia meet again)