PROLOGUE
NOTE: This is my first Bleach story, so I welcome all constructive criticism. If I have misspelled any names or made the characters too OOC, then please let me know in a review. I do not own Bleach or any of its characters. Janabanah is the co-author of this story. I do not own the song "It's Gonna Be Love" nor do I own the movie rights to A Walk to Remember. This is an Ichigo/Rukia pairing, with a possible Byakuya/Yourichi, Kukkaku/Isshin, and even an Orihime/Uryu.
"GODPARENTS"
PROLOGUE
This story takes place directly after Aizen's betrayal of Soul Society. Everyone is rebuilding not only the Seretei, but also themselves. The soul reapers require emotional and physical healing. Ichigo and his friends depart Soul Society, rejoining their own lives in the real world. Rukia chose to stay in order to heal, and reclaim her soul reaper powers. Ichigo hated to leave her, but understood her decision. It is hard to leave the one you love. No one knows of their secret relationship that has been brewing since they met each other. They do not know their secret desire to marry and have a family. Ichigo and Rukia recognize that there are obstacles to overcome, for example big brother, Byakuya, but the lovers are determined to be together – no matter what it takes.
Six months later, both Ichigo and Rukia are going stir crazy with the need to be together. Rukia hoped for her reassignment to be in Karakura Town, but without her complete soul reaper powers, Captain-Commander Yamamoto has yet to confirm her position. Therefore, with the help of Captain Ukitake, Rukia sneaks off to the real world to see Ichigo. She cannot stay long, so the lovers make the best of the short time they have together by secretly getting married. The only person who knows is Uruhara Kisuke. I know you two love each other, but will it be enough when the captains of Soul Society find out, especially Byakuya Kuchiki. I cannot help you now, young Kurosaki. You are on your own in this matter, Kisuke thought while watching Ichigo and Rukia's courthouse ceremony. Now the story begins with Rukia back in the Seretei.
"An Unexpected Change"
Rukia walking from her barracks in Squad 13, heads towards her brother's quarters at Squad 6. She is humming the song "It's Gonna Be Love" by Mandy Moore – from the Soundtrack, "A Walk To Remember." All the soul reapers noticed that there is more pep to her step lately – she is livelier than usual and smiling more than ever. She is the total opposite of Captain Byakuya Kuchiki. Some have an idea that Shinigami Representative Ichigo Kurosaki has something to do with it, but they are not certain. They are in the dark about the secret rendezvous Rukia made to see Ichigo, with the help of Captain Ukitake. They definitely do not know that Rukia is married. Rukia wants to keep it a secret, so she does not wear her wedding band. Instead, she wears it on a chain Ichigo bought for her. Reaching her brother's private quarters, Rukia kneeled down on the mat and rapped on the door.
"Yes," replied Captain Kuchiki.
"Sorry to bother you, Brother, but I wanted to update you on my condition," Rukia stammered.
"Continue."
"The wound I suffered from former Captain Ichimaru's attack healed, but I have yet to regain all of my soul reaper powers. Both Captain Unohana and Captain Ukitake believe I will fully recover in another six to eight months. I'm sorry, Brother."
"There's no need to be sorry, Rukia, for you are doing everything in your power to regain what you lost to that boy, Kurosaki, right?"
"Uh, yes, sir." Silently, Rukia thought, How can I tell my brother that I am married to very person he despises? No matter, the same way Ichigo loves and protects me, I will do for him too – even if it is against my Nii-sama.
"Very well, you may return to your quarters. Dismissed," Byakuya, said.
"Yes sir, Brother," Rukia replied, closing the door and bowing. She quickly got up, but as she did so, she felt dizzy. "B-b-rother," Rukia quietly said before fainting into darkness. Noticing her reiatsu was off; Byakuya stepped outside and caught Rukia before she hit the ground. He then flashed stepped quickly to Squad 4 headquarters. Something is wrong with Rukia; her reiatsu has changed, Byakuya thought while awaiting the results from Captain Unohana.
Inside the examination room, Captain Unohana looks down at a sleeping Rukia. Things are going to change now, Rukia Kuchiki. I doubt how Captain Kuchiki is going to take the news very well. I speculate that ryoka boy, Ichigo Kurosaki is the father, she murmured, writing down Rukia's vital signs on her medical chart. Walking out of the examination room, Captain Unohana gradually makes her way to the waiting area. Seeing Captain Unohana, Captains Kuchiki and Ukitake stood up to receive the news. Captain Ukitake heard the news from Kyone and Sentaro, and quickly hurried to await the news about Rukia with Captain Byakuya Kuchiki. Please let her be okay, they both thought to themselves.
"How is she, Captain Unohana?" Byakuya asked first.
"She is fine, Captain Kuchiki," Captain Unohana replied, "She is exhausted from the stress of facing execution, the rescue, and almost being killed by former Captain Aizen. She needs lots of rest."
"Thank you, Captain," Byakuya and Juuyshiro both said. "When can we see her," Juuyshiro asked.
"Before I answer that question, there is something else you should know. Rukia is pregnant."
"WHAT?" yelled Byakuya, "She's pregnant? By whom?" Before Captain Unohana could answer that, she did not know Byakuya started for the door. "I'm going to kill him! He has to die this time!"
"Wait, Byakuya. What are you talking about," Juuyshiro frantically asks, walking out behind him.
"Ichigo Kurosaki. I know he is behind this. I'm going to kill him."
"But, Rukia obviously loves him, Byakuya," Captain Ukitake said, grabbing Byakuya's captain's robe. I feel responsible for this situation. I have to stop him somehow, Juuyshiro thought nervously. Stopping suddenly, Byakuya turns towards Juuyshiro with hatred showing in his eyes, "Does that mean something to me, Captain Ukitake?" Byakuya asked. "He violated Rukia and the Kuchiki family name, and for that there is no forgiveness – he must die!"
"Don't you want to talk to Rukia first?"
"No, I have nothing to say to her. Now, if you do not mind Captain Ukitake, would you please take your hands off my robes? I thought I told you once before to stay out of the House of Kuchiki's business – that does include Rukia. She may be your subordinate, but she is my responsibility. Now, if you will excuse me," Byakuya said scornfully, then flashed stepped to the Soul Society gate that will take him to the real world.
Meanwhile, knowing that this is going to end badly, Captain Juuyshiro Ukitake hastily went back to fourth squad in order to inform Rukia on her brother's irate temper, and his journey to the real world.
