Celestial Vessel

All eyes were on her, stunned at her statement. Michiko looked at them and smiled. "Hai, I can be the perfect vessel. That arrancar doesn't know that I am of noble blood and besides, my reiatsu can withstand it." She said.

"But Michiko-sama, being a noble your reiatsu is already overwhelmingly strong. More so that you are with child and carrying twins at the same time, it might be difficult for you." Urahara stated.

"I know you will say that, but can't you see the point? I already met that arrancar, and surely he will not think that I would be the vessel since he only knows that I am Byakuya-sama's spouse, nothing more. Don't forget, I too am a clan head Urahara-san…" Michiko replied

"And a stubborn one as well… " Yoruichi said, grinning.

"Well, I guess it depends on your husband Michiko-sama" Ginrei replied, looking at his grandson's stoic expression. 'He may not look it but his eyes tell another story' Ginrei silently thought.

Ginrei stood up, looked at Yoruichi and Urahara and said, "we better leave the couple to discuss this… come, lets have tea and rice cakes at the library" looking at Yoruichi, the elder Kuchiki beamed, "its been awhile since we last chatted, Yoruichi-dono"

"Hai, Ginrei-dono. That would be nice" Yoruichi replied, smiling.

As the shoji door closed, Byakuya looked at his wife and said "Hanata… this could be dangerous. You know how much I love you and I -- "

"Iie, you will not lose me… not now… not ever." Michiko replied, cupping his face with her hands. "I promised, and I will promise again. I will not leave you. Do not forget, I too am a Shinigami and both of us have our duties to fulfill."

"I know that, but you cannot hold it against me to worry for you and our children" Byakuya replied.

"Have faith in me… in us. Let us do what we must, hanata. For Seireitei, for the human world and our children" Michiko answered.

Wordlessly, Byakuya smiled at her, embraced his wife and kissed her. "Alright, let's do this. But if you feel any discomfort, promise me that you will tell me." he said.

"I promise" Michiko said. "Thank you for having faith in me, hanata"

Meanwhile at the Kuchiki library…

"It seems that this time Byakuya-sama has met his perfect match" Urahara said as he sipped his tea.

"Hai" Ginrei replied. "Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Hisana-sama; but she was much too gentle to Byakuya and at the same time, her illness made her more fragile. Byakuya took it hard when she passed away." He added.

Yoruichi looked at the elder Kuchiki and asked; "if Byakuya can withstand it, surely Michiko could, being in the state that she is in… am I correct?"

"Your do have a point, but take into consideration that she is carrying a child… or shall I say twins for that matter, Yoruichi-dono… it might have its drawbacks." Ginrei pointed out.

"But she is a clan head. It won't hurt if we try. Besides, a lot of things are happening already…" she stated.

Before Ginrei could reply, Byakuya and Michiko entered, with Byakuya in his usual stoic expression.

"We will perform it. Tonight…." Byakuya simply stated.

Yoruichi and Urahara looked at the couple and noticed that Byakuya is clasping his wife's hand. 'He is against it; but can't do anything about it. Michiko is indeed strong-willed' Yoruichi thought as she silently observed the couple.

"Alright then, we can do it in Urahara's place since he and Tessai-san can put a barrier during the transfer" Ginrei replied.

Byakuya nodded and looked at the others and left the library, his arm around his wife.

"Then we do what we must" Urahara simply stated.

Later that night, Byakuya together with Michiko and Ginrei proceeded to Urahara's place and at the underground training area, Tessai already completed in establishing the four poles of the barrier.

"Konbanwa Byakuya-sama, Michiko-sama, Ginrei-dono" Tessai politely greeted the group to which the three Kuchiki nobles greeted him in return.

Michiko and Byakuya stepped inside together with Yoruichi and Ginrei. All were silent as Ginrei begins to chant, thus beginning the transferring of the remaining Sōkyoku piece. As it was extracted from Byakuya, he fell down to the ground, unconscious.

"Byakuya!" Michiko exclaimed, worried.

"Its alright Michiko-sama, there is nothing to worry." Ginrei assured her. "Now I want you to focus your reiatsu as you would be receiving this Sōkyoku."

"Hai…" Michiko replied as she looked at the elder Kuchiki and focused. Ginrei, with the aid of Yoruichi split the remaining Sōkyoku into two parts, looking at her, Ginrei instructed;

"Now Michiko-sama, this would be a little difficult since you are with child, try masking your reiatsu completely as I make the transfer so that there would be no conflict in reiatsus."

"Hai… " was all Michiko could answer as she is mesmerized at the presence of the Sōkyoku. As Ginrei broke the said Sōkyoku into tiny spirit particles and penetrates Michiko, she felt the immenseness of its power and looked at Yoruichi who gave her a reassuring smile.

"Are you alright ojou-sama?" Ginrei asked her.

"I am… please proceed with the second installation Ginrei-sama" Michiko replied. Afterwards, as the Sōkyoku was safely placed in Michiko, Byakuya regains consciousness and smiled at his wife who rushed over him.

"Anatta, are you alright?" Michiko asked, concern evident on her features.

"I should be asking you that my love" he replied. He looked at his grandfather who simply nodded and said;

"The transfer is successful Byakuya" Ginrei said

"I am glad" he replied.

As the group stepped out of Urahara's place, they felt an ominous presence and a mocking voice…

"Well, well, well…. What do we have here? Ahh… the missing piece and the most important of them all… "Arturo remarked as he steps out from the Garganta.

oOo oOo oOo

Translation:

Ojou-sama / Ojou-san = my lady or milady

Author's Notes: its been long while and so many activities that i could not free myself from _ but now im back and i'll do my best to update as soon as i can. hopefully this wont be too long since i wouldnt want you my dear readers to get bored if i prolong this. the most would be 30 to 35 chapters if ever. again, my heartfelt thanks to those who read this and take time to comment. thank you so much :)