Chapter 35: Graduation Day…Kurotsuchi Strikes

Rukia walked with Urahara and Yoruichi to attend Ichigo's high school graduation. She was offered the option to participate in the graduation event, but she declined because quite frankly she didn't feel like standing and walking for an extended period of time. She was now six months along in her pregnancy and was as big as a house. Most people assumed that she was at least at the end of her pregnancy because of her size, but oh no she still had another three months to go. Luckily Yoruichi had a car to drive them to the graduation event because there was no way she would make the walk. Walking from the parking lot to their seats was wearing her out. She stops in front of a bench and sits down to catch her breath. Yoruichi looks at her concerned, "what's the matter, Rukia?" Rukia looks at her mother and smiles, "nothing is wrong. It takes a lot of energy these days for me to do any physical activities. Even just walking wears me out." Yoruichi nods, but still looks concerned. Urahara looks at the two, "we could get a wheelchair and push her." Yoruichi nods at this thinking it is a wonderful idea but Rukia disagrees. "I am fine, let's continues" there is no way she is being pushed in a wheelchair she thinks. She struggle to get off the bench and eventually Yoruichi and Urahara have to pull her up. Rukia sighs, thinking she can't wait for her pregnancy to end.

Ichigo is standing on the stage scanning the crowd for signs of Rukia. She will be easy to spot because her belly is huge. He is concerned that this may be too much of an outing for her. She has been tiring out easy and he tried to convince her to stay home and rest, but she insisted on coming. In a few days they will marry and move into the small house that they had found together. He has been taking care of all the moving preparations because physically she can't do it. Now that she has entered the final trimester of her pregnancy she has weekly doctor appointments. He finally sees them walking into the seating area and waves at them. Rukia smiles at him and waves back and immediately sits in the first available seat. She looks exhausted, he thinks to himself. She is huffing and puffing trying to catch her breath and is sweating. "Dammit" he mutters to himself "I knew that she should have stayed home." Orihime pats him on the shoulder, "you can't make her do what she doesn't want to do. She wouldn't miss this day. Although I agree with you she should have stayed home." Everyone has filled the auditorium and the officiating staff of the ceremony enter. The principle asks everyone to sand for the national anthem and Ichigo watches as Yoruichi and Urahara help Rukia off of her seat. "She should have just sat" he muttered to Orihime who nods in agreement.

Rukia watches from her seat as the graduation begins. She is uncomfortable sitting down and she is uncomfortable standing. The babies seem to be very active right now and are kicking up a storm inside her belly. One of them in particular seems to be punching her in the bladder because she needs to pee. She is trying to hold it until she sees Ichigo walk across the stage. Finally, he receives his diploma a waves it towards Rukia who just smiles at him. "I need to pee" she whispers to Yoruichi who nods and helps her up. Yoruichi begins walking with her, but Rukia shakes her head "you can stay, I just need to pee." Yoruichi looks at her and nods. "Fine, if you are too long though I am coming in after you." Rukia laughs at her as walks away. Urahara looks at Yoruichi, "you are going to follow her?" Yoruichi nods, "of course I am. I don't think she could get off the toilet by herself at this point." Rukia goes into the handicapped stall to use the restroom because it had a grab bar she could use to pull herself up. Once through she walks to the sink to wash her hands. She hears a scuffling noise behind her and sees Kurotsuchi standing behind her with an evil smile on his face.

"What are you doing in the lady's room" she asks him in an oddly calm voice. Kurotsuchi laughs at her, "I have come to see how you and your unborn children are doing. You are just positively huge. Those must be some strong offspring that you are carrying. Although I though pregnant women were supposed to glow, you just look worn out." Kurotsuchi laughs at this statement. "What do you want from me" she asks him. "I am glad you asked my dear. Byakuya wants to kill you, but I think studying you and your children would be fascinating, so I am here to kidnap you. I would also like to get a hold of that mother of yours as well, and possibly Ichigo. I will be a familial study." Rukia doesn't know what to do she knows that she can't defeat him in her condition. She wishes she had Yoruichi follow her, but she knows she will not be taken without a fight. She gets into a fighting position which Kurotsuchi finds hilarious, "what do you think you are going to do to me?" Rukia glares at him, "I will not let you take me without a fight." Kurotsuchi sighs, "I don't want to damage my test subjects, but I will if I have to." He moves to strike Rukia who is thrown of balance and falls to her butt on the floor. "Like I said, there is nothing you can do." Rukia knowing he is right just starts yelling for help.

Yoruichi reaches the bathroom where Rukia went and tries to open the door, but it is locked. She hears a commotion on the other side and then Rukia yelling for help. "Rukia" she shouts trying to open the door, but it seems to be blocked by a powerful magic. She keeps beating the door trying to break it down. "You need some help" a male voice says behind her she turns and sees Ichigo's father standing there in full soul reaper regale. "You are a soul reaper" she asks. He laughs "Yes. You weren't the only soul reaper to have children." He turns serious "Kurotsuchi is in there with her trying to kidnap her, stand aside and I will break down this door." Yoruichi is still shocked and nods. He sticks his zanpakuto in the door and says bankai and the door shatters. They rush in and see Kurotsuchi leaning over Rukia who is on the floor. He turns around and laughs at them and turns back to Rukia, "well looks like I won't capture you today, but you will be mine" and he disappears. Yoruichi rushes to her daughters side "are you ok" checking her over for injury. "I am fine he didn't hurt me yet." She notices Ichigo's dad standing there wearing a soul reaper uniform and is shocked. He notices the shocked look of her face and laughs, "so how is my daughter in law and grandchildren?'