A thousand thoughts going a million miles an hour through his head; what was he supposed to say, to ask? "What… the FUCK!?" Well, it wasn't very elegant, but it got the point across.
He didn't miss the heavy sigh that escaped Byakuya; but what other kind of reaction was he supposed to have? "I'm sorry were you hoping for a more refined response?"
"It would have been welcome" Byakuya responded dryly.
"You're right, I shouldn't be surprised you've spent all this time lying to her."
"Watch your tongue boy" Ichigo wasn't fazed by the growl in Byakuya's voice.
"She's having a hard enough time as it is, you realize this is just going to mess her up more when I tell her."
"So you won't."
"Excuse me?" Ichigo asked in disbelief "are you expecting me to keep this secret for you?"
"For the time being; I will be the one who tells her."
"Oh sure, because you have such a perfect track record." Their eyes narrowed as they stared intently at each other, daring the other to back down first. Ichigo had done this countless times with Rukia sporting the same intense look as her father; he was practically immune to it at this point.
Though their stare downs usually lasted longer, Byakuya surprisingly broke rather quickly letting out a deep sigh. The perfect posture giving way to slumped shoulders and a slight hunch, he looked tired.
"Hisana and I never intended for it to get this far; and you, rightly, you have a self-righteous indignation that won't let it remain a secret for much longer. So I ask you, please let me, I owe her at least my honesty."
"How do I know you'll be honest?" Ichigo couldn't help but be suspect, he'd spent so much time lying to Rukia.
"Because I'm tired" Ichigo was surprised to watch Byakuya throw away his proper attitude, sitting down, hunched over with his back resting against his wife's headstone. "When my grandfather first met Hisana he suggested I keep her as a mistress, with her being common it would displease the family. The man I admired the most was telling me to keep the woman I loved most a secret; being just shy of twenty it was difficult to wrap my head around."
"How did you two meet?" The question was posed as Ichigo took a seat on the ground across from the older man. "Surely someone of your standing would be unlikely to interact with normal people." Surprisingly he wasn't met with the hostility for his smart remark, instead there was a sort of jovial tune behind Byakuya's response.
"It wasn't my idea, I was dragged along to a party by some friends."
"Why do I already feel like I'm being lied too" Byakuya looked puzzled "I just find it hard to believe that you of all people would have friends."
"If you intend to continue your relationship with my daughter it would be in your interest if I can tolerate you." There came the edge that he'd been expecting earlier; and perhaps the jokes could be left by the wayside for now.
"Hisana and I met at that party, I spent a lovely night getting to know a beautiful woman, I didn't learn about the repercussions till just over a year later. My grandfather's company regularly donated large sums of money to local organizations, it was good PR. I had started to come along, being his chosen successor, I had to learn the ropes."
Many Years Ago
The flash of cameras and the chatter of rowdy reporters faded to the back of his mind, background noise as he looked past the crowd of vultures.
His grandfather's money would go a long way here; even if this was just a stunt to drum up good publicity these people needed it. Some cracks in the drywall had been quickly plastered over while others were left in the open; the beds they'd past earlier were little more than bare mattresses on rusted frames.
He doubted it was simply luck his grandfather had in choosing where his money would go. Each location was probably carefully curated to make him look as good as possible.
"Byakuya" his grandfather called for him "I believe this gentleman has a question for you." A kind smile, but eyes that told him to pay more attention.
Back straight, hands behind him, one clasped firmly over the other; he looked towards one of the reporters "my apologies, I was… distracted. What was your question again?"
"Are the rumors that you and…" the question was already lost on him, tuned out. Why could no one ever ask him a business question, always these rumors on who he was dating, who he was seen with. They were tiresome.
As a non answer circled around in his head the tugging of his pantleg drew his attention down. This dirty, stained linoleum was no place for a child. "Hello" he softly greeted the child, squatting down to get a proper look, only to find the past staring back at him. The face of a girl he'd never stopped thinking about, and the eyes of the woman who had raised him.
"Byakuya… Byakuya."
"I'm sorry grandfather, but this child wandered up to me. If you'll give me a moment I'd like to return her." He gave a quick, polite bow to the press and elder before scooping up the child and heading deeper into the shelter.
He found it worrisome that nobody had questions the child clutched tightly in his arms, as frantically, he slammed open every rickety door.
Rounding a corner he found her; in complete disarray, with a wrinkled blouse riding up her back, and head stuffed underneath a bedframe looking for the little one in his arms. The baby girl, quite his whole search now starts giggling, tiny arms reaching for her mother.
"Hisana" he watched as her back stiffened and an audible clang told him she'd banged her head off the frame.
"Rukia!" She crossed the room, transfixed on the small bundle in his arms, but, she did not immediately retrieve the baby. She took her time gently playing with a chubby little arm, sweetly cooing before poking Rukia's nose causing the baby to erupt into a fit of laughter.
"It's good to see you again."
"That's not exactly what I thought you'd say" Hisana replied, looking at him through a part in her hair.
"Why? Because I give off the impression of a rich kid?"
"Because you're holding my daughter."
"Is she not mine too? My mother is the only person I've known to have eyes like hers." He shifted the baby, cradling her with one arm and using his thumb to gently stroke her cheek; finally allowing himself to appreciate the bubbling little bundle. "She's beautiful, just like her mother."
"You're taking this better than I'd ever imagined Kuchiki-Sama."
"Please, if there's anyone who shouldn't call me that, it's the mother of my daughter."
"Kuchiki-San-"
"Byakuya, please" he interrupted her.
"Byakuya, I'm happy that you're so open to her but-"
"Come stay with me."
"Excuse me?" She asked "We may have a child together, but otherwise, we're strangers. You could be planning on taking Rukia and leaving me out on the streets." He would never consider something so heinous, but she had a point.
Gingerly he passed Hisana back their child, pausing for a minute to offer Rukia his finger. It brought a smile to his face to see her so quickly wrap her hand around it "she's so small" he mused.
"I understand your hesitation, if you won't stay with me, then let me offer you this" a sleek black credit card was pulled from his wallet and extended to her "It has no limit, use it to take care of her, and yourself."
"I can't."
"You can" he placed the card on Rukia's belly.
"It's not fair to everyone else here, why do I deserve this more."
"You're right, it's not, you just got lucky in a way."
"I don't think being disowned by my family and having to hop from shelter to shelter is lucky."
His lips a grim line; he nodded, accepting her words. "She has a father who will do everything to take care of her though" he gestured to their child. "Think of the card as child support; and if you'd like, I could come back tomorrow and help you find someplace a bit more put together; if you'd like that is."
"Yes, I would like that."
A Year Later
For the umpteenth time Byakuya stealthily wiped sweaty palms on his black slacks. He could sense his grandfather's scrutinizing eyes going over every surface, every wall. Hisana had insisted on a place she described as, not part of his world.
This meant that the apartment lacked certain features his grandfather would deem essential, the walls were lined with cheap wallpaper that, here and there, had a couple rips in it. A far cry from the exquisite dark stained wood paneling of the hotels and apartments his grandfather was used too. Though surprisingly he had been most vocal about the lack of a door man; men of their stature shouldn't have to open doors themselves apparently.
"Grandfather there is something you should be aware of."
"Now Byakuya I've trained you well, whatever you think I may find undesirable you'll be able to spin it before hand. I'd much rather form my own opinion if you don't mind."
"If you must" Byakuya sighed, defeated and anxious.
A quick rapt on the door and with a slight squeak, which seemed to displease his grandfather, it was opened. "Byakuya" Hisana smiled warmly and his frazzled nerves were soothed. "Kuchiki-Sama" she bowed "Byakuya has told me much about you."
"With how lovely you look, I'm sure my grandson would've gone on about you had I given him the chance." His grandfather was right, she looked absolutely exquisite with her hair pulled back into a loose ponytail; dressed in a pink floral sundress, and a small gold chain necklace.
"H-he hasn't told you anything then?" Sweaty palms returned as even Hisana looked nervous now.
"No my dear, I prefer to make my own assumptions; I'm sure you're quite the woman. Now Byakuya" his grandfather nudged him with his elbow "why don't you properly introduce us."
"Yes grandfather. Hisana, this is my grandfather Ginrei Kuchiki. Grandfather this is my fiancé, Hisana."
"You don't use your last name?" His grandfather asked
"No, my parents and I no longer have a relationship, I only use it if I have to. Would you like to come in?" She asked after a momentary pause.
"Yes, thank you my dear."
He did his best to look steely and unconcerned as Hisana grabbed his arm and stopped him from following his grandfather. "She's down for a nap so if you don't want to…" she puttered off before finding resolve "we need to tell him" her words a worried whisper
"We will" he assured her "and it'll be okay" whether that last part was for her or himself was left undetermined, but, lightly kissing her forehead let him pretend it was more for her sake.
"I hope you're right" she murmured.
He followed her in, despite a few coloured and shaped blocks nestled next to the couch on the lush maroon carpet, there was no sign this apartment belonged to a mother.
He joined his grandfather who was already sitting at the walnut kitchen table, waiting patiently as a steaming mug of tea was placed on a coaster in front of him. "Can I get you anything, milk, sugar?"
"Milk would be appreciated my dear."
"Byakuya?" Just saying his name was enough to communicate her question.
"I'm good, thank you" he was too busy staring at the door just left of the living room windows.
"Is everything alright?"
He turned to meet his grandfather's gaze "yes, there's just something on my-" he was interrupted by his daughter's lonesome wail. Hisana pause in her steps, his grandfather looked quite confused, but Byakuya acted swiftly.
"If you'll excuse me" he pushed away from the table, the chair gliding across the hardwood.
Inside her room Rukia lay in her crib, in the little rabbit print onesie he got her a couple weeks ago; she was rather cute.
Her little arms were flailing about, head tossing and turning as she cried out. lifted her out of the crib and rocked her in his arms "there there" Byakuya smiled as he did his best to soothe her "you just caused me a lot of trouble little one."
With little other choice he wandered back into the living room, Rukia's head resting softly on his shoulder. "Byakuya… what is the meaning of this?" His grandfather's voice held a twinge of anger, but mostly he sounded surprised.
"This is my daughter, Rukia."
"You cannot be serious?"
"I am, grandfather I-"
"You of all people shouldn't be falling for a trick like this."
"What was that?" Byakuya growled; his hold on Rukia tightening.
"This woman she is clearly tricking you, I'm surprised you'd fall for it and for so long."
"Grandfather-"
"Do not argue with me Byakuya. Put the child down, we are leaving." The ever so stoic man Byakuya knew looked positively livid, his grandfather's eyes darting back and forth between Hisana and the baby clutched in his arm.
"No!"
"Excuse me?"
"I'm not leaving them" standing his ground Byakuya eyed up his grandfather and without a hint of hesitation told him "I'm not abandoning my family."
"Wake up Byakuya they aren't your family."
It was a long shot but he had an idea "have you even known anyone but my mother to have violet eyes?"
"What… of course not. It was a rare genetic defect that not even you have."
"Well, it seems Rukia takes after her grandmother." His grandfather, still angry, but now also curious.
"Let me see her" cautiously he handed off his daughter to the waiting arms of her great grandfather. The anger melted, giving way to a look of pure unadulterated love. "I remember when you were this small."
"Do you believe me now?" Byakuya asked.
"You have my sincerest apologies my dear" it looked like a struggle for his grandfather to tear his eyes away from Rukia and focus them on Hisana. "There is still one big problem Byakuya."
"And what is that?"
"This might be proof enough for me, but the rest of the family won't be so willing to take your word for it."
"A paternity test wouldn't appease them?"
"I believe not, they are a fickle bunch."
"That makes no fucking sense" Byakuya spat out.
"You're right, but the family would prefer you married someone of standing" he nodded towards Hisana "she has nothing to give them, they won't be nice, and will make you miserable Byakuya. Adding to that a child made out of wedlock and the problem will only worsen."
"Why?" Byakuya inquired
"Because they think it'll shame the family… it's why my parents kicked me out." The worry Hisana exuded didn't put him off, if anything Byakuya just got angrier.
"I don't care what they think, I will be the next head of the family-"
"And you'll have to work with them" his grandfather pointed out "many of them fill important roles at the company and cannot be so easily replaced; you have to be practical."
"So what would you suggest?"
"Keep your bride to be as a mistress instead" it was said so casually Byakuya was taken aback "marry someone the family approves of; you'll have the woman you love, your child, and the family will be happy. It's not the best-"
"I will not deny my family like that! There has to be another way."
His grandfather sighed, he was clearly frustrated but that didn't bother Byakuya. "You're making this more difficult than it needs to be."
"I don't care!"
"If it was just Hisana it would be difficult, but easier to swing but…" he began pacing back and forth around the small room, his dress shoes clicking across the hardwood and thumping along the plush carpet. He stopped, and turned to Hisana and Rukia. "You two, you look quite similar… if your parents were young enough you could almost be sisters."
"You're not suggesting what I think you are?" Byakuya asked.
"Indeed I am; it's a small lie. You'll have the opportunity to raise your daughter, once you've built up enough power and respect within the family Rukia's true parentage can be announced."
"Grandfather that's… that's insane."
"What other options do you have? Are you going to be like that Shiba brat and leave all this behind, the wealth, your family's heritage, the chance to give them" his grandfather gestured to Hisana and Rukia "a better life? You need only to lie for a little while."
"I-I" he stuttered trying to find the words.
"We'll do it" shocked, Byakuya turned to look at Hisana "she'll have a better life, and I can't make you give up everything for us."
"Hisana, I-"
"Please don't argue with me on this Byakuya."
"I-I won't, but it this really what you want?"
"Yes… no… I don't know. I just want what's best for Rukia."
"She'll have it" his grandfather assured "I'll make sure of it my dear, it's the least I can do."
Present Time
"I can't believe your grandfather and I share the same opinion of my father."
"Is that really your take away from my story?"
Ichigo rolled his eyes, while Byakuya seemed offended he could care less "what do you want from me?" He asked "Just because Hisana agreed doesn't mean I'm going to change my mind."
"I cannot expect you to understand."
"No, I don't think you understand, you're Byakuya fucking Kuchiki. Are you really going to sit here and with a straight face tell me you'd be unable to provide for Rukia and Hisana if your family kicked you out? I bet even at what, eighteen or nineteen? any company would've taken you. And if by some fucking insane run of bad luck you were having trouble finding a job Yoruichi could've helped; she seems to have a fondness for you."
Upon silence being the only response Ichigo found his footing and brushed the wet grass and dirt from his black slacks. "Friday" Ichigo reminded him "be there, tell her the truth, or I will."
There was a slow, acknowledging nod from the older man. "Good" Ichigo muttered under his breath. Putting his back to Byakuya he headed for the tree line; there was still one more bouquet that needed to be delivered.
…
Hair still up in a damp white towel, underneath black and red flannel sheets with a pair of pillows tucked between her back and the bed's headboard. Ichigo should have been home a while ago and his absence only prolonged her feelings of dread, and the ever-growing pit in her stomach.
A small white and blue box lay in the small pocket created by her crossed legs; in it, her future.
Ripping her eyes away from it she caught a glimpse of herself in the dresser mirror, it didn't help her confidence. Heavy, dark bags were making their unwelcome presence known, and, she couldn't believe it but it looked like a wrinkle had set itself in place across her forehead.
From their room the heavy thud of the front door reached her ears; soon an exhausted looking Ichigo was flopping, face first into the comforter. "Ichigo" she called to him.
"Not now… too tired."
An eyebrow lifted in confusion as she asked "yoo tired from visiting your mom?"
"No too tired from dealing with your fa-" he cut himself off. Suddenly looking up, and deeply into her eyes.
"Dealing with my what?" Ichigo shook his head.
"No-nothing, I'm just tired that's all." He was hiding something, but then again so was she. "Hey ugh… did Orihime tell you her and Uryu are like a thing?"
"No! Why would she tell me that?"
"I don't know you talk to her more than I do."
"My problems Ichigo, we talk about my problems; not her personal life" she instantly regretted her tone, it sounded like she was scolding him. "How did you find out?" She tried to sound more sympathetic, concerned, it couldn't be easy for him to find out one of his best friends was seeing his ex-wife.
"His food… it smelt so awful, there's only one reason to be eating food that bad."
She crawled towards him, the box slipping from her lap and onto the floor. Reaching out and placing a reassuring hand on one of his broad shoulders; Ichigo let out a relieved sigh at her contact. "How does it make you feel?"
"I'm angry with Uryu, he could've said something earlier" he sighed "prick" she heard him utter under his breath.
"And with Orihime?" She asked.
"I don't know" he sat up and moved to the edge of their bed, his head cradled in his hands. "She disserves to be happy, I have you" she felt her heart flutter "Orihime should have someone that makes her feel the same."
Now might as well be her best chance, "Ichigo, there's something-"
"What's that?"
A brief look into the mirror and she could see the discarded box lying on the floor "it kind of looks like-"
"Ichigo!" She forcefully said his name, bring his attention back to her "there's something I need to tell you." And then, it all seemed to click for him.
…
"You're pregnant!"
"Shhh" she put her finger to his lips "not so loud, the whole building doesn't need to know. And I'm not… or… maybe I am."
"Rukia you're not making any sense."
"I'm two weeks late Ichigo, I haven't taken the test yet."
"So there's a chance that you're not."
"That is how these things work Ichigo, I really won't know till I take it."
The thought of another child, he'd feared and longed for the prospect for a while, but, in a bid to steal the moment his fear swept over him like a tidal wave. He could help the thoughts of people finding out, her expulsion, or the teasing and humiliation. NO! He had to push those thoughts far from the forefront of his mind.
"Ichigo" she sounded worried, but, something came over him and he just grinned. A splash of raven hair in the mirror and a pair of delicate, pale arms wrapping around his midsection. In that eternal moment, with Rukia pressed up against him and her raven hair tickling his cheek, and her belly, maybe full, against the centre of his back.
"I saw you smile" she whispered.
…
The waiting, that's what was killing her, not the weird, semi-embarrassing act of peeing on a small plastic stick, with Ichigo huddled against the wall outside, inches away and probably hearing the whole thing. No, for some reason right now, it was waiting on those damned pink lines.
One, and there was nothing to worry about. Two, meant three, and then a lot of planning; thinking about it this is probably the only time one plus one equalled three. And though that thought brought a little laugh bubbling up, there was something that was keeping a smile firmly rooted to her lips, their child.
If she really was pregnant, then she was carrying a piece of Ichigo with her, a piece of the man she loved, wrapped up with a piece of herself; they would be creating a new life, together.
…
It felt like an eternity, sitting on the hardwood, his back pressed against the uncomfortable drywall; but soon, the click of the door knob and Rukia stepped out, head down, hair covering her face. He was on his feet in no time, his hand press lightly against her belly "so ugh?"
She stood there stone like, those large violet eyes unreadable. Finally, her hand covered his "I don't know if I'm ready for this." She… she was… he couldn't even finish the thought, he just dropped to his knees.
His arms wrapped around her tiny frame, an ear pressed tightly against her full belly; it would be awhile before any kicks, before she would show. Her fingers wound themselves through his hair "what are we going to do?" She asked.
"I don't know" her fingers tensed at his honesty, but he grinned "we'll figure it out."
"Together?" She quietly asked.
"Together" he replied. This would be hard, but he couldn't help but be happy, they had done something special; they had taken one, and one, and made three.
Author's Note: To those coming back to this chapter once again I will celebrate hitting 100K, to those reading this for the first time I decided to make a change, originally this chapter ended with Rukia not being pregnant; but I got a comment that made me think, it was just "How exciting, a baby...not" the author of the comment was right, I had basically reset the status quo and thinking about it, that really made for a boring conclusion, and with Rukia being pregnant it left it me with more story opportunities.