ARRANGED LOVE OR COERCION?
Disclaimer:I donot own Bleach or it's characters.
"Speaking"
"Thinking"
"Zanpakuto/Hollow"
Chapter 18: I am home!
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"We are here Ichigo"
"Yeah thank you for bringing me home. You know, you were not obliged to carry me all the way here"
"Don't mention it, I had to you are pregnant remember? I didn't want you to strain yourself. it seems everybody is already asleep, that means you will see them in the morning."
"Yeah, thanks again Shinji. I will just go to bed now" she said with a thankful smile.
"Try to rest okay?" he said.
"i promise I will."
"Goodnight Ichigo I need to sleep too."
"Goodnight" she said entering her old bedroom through the window. It did not take her long to fall asleep.
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"Queenie! Oi! queenie wake up."
"What now? what do you want this time Shiro-teme?" she groaned.
"I thought, I should warn you that your flow of spiritual energy this coming months will be limited because, majority of it will be used by your brat."
" Oh ok thanks, but couldn't you wait to tell me that in the morning? she asked.
"For your information it's morning already." her hollow shot back.
"Whaat! already?"
"Yeah and you crazy father will be here in about 5 seconds." he warned with a mocking laugh.
"Oh crap!"
"IIICCCHIIIGOOOO!!! my sweet daughter welcome back daddy missed yooouuuu soooo much!!. isshin shouted while hugging his oldest tightly.
"I missed you too dad but you are going to choke me to dead if you keep squeezing me like that." she said smiling at him.
"Ichi-nee is that you?"
"Hey Karin, wow! you have grown your hair, you look cuter with long hair. so how have you been?"
"Ichi-neee!, it's you! it's really you" Karin said embracing her sister tightly after pushing her dad out of the way.
"The one and only Karin-chan" Ichigo said with a gentle smile
"Where have you been and why are you in your shinigami form?".
" Oh that is a story for another time dear about my cloths I am in my spirit form. I am death remember?"
"Actually Ichigo you are not."
"What do you mean dad?"
"About your body it's with Urahara. He kept it alive and animated for you."
"So tell me dad you saw me leaving that night why didn't you stop me?"
"I just thought you had a very important reason to leave, That is why I decided not to confront you. So tell me why did you leave?"
"I don't want to talk about it right now. So where is Yuzu and Kon?"she asked changing the subject.
"Yuzu slept over at a friend's place and kon left a while ago to get your body."
"Oh ok. What story then did you tell everyone after I left?"
"We told Uryuu, Chad, Orihime, Yoruichi,Tatsuki Yuzu and the vizards the truth but we told your other classmates you left to study abroad."
"Really dad was that the only excuse you had" she groaned.
"It was either that or telling them you elopped with a man and got married" Isshin said jokingly but it hit a nerve.
"You are not far from the truth dad." she whispered but he heard her.
"WHAAT! Who is he? Tell me this instant I will hunt him down and hurt him bad."
"Nevermind, It's nothing important dad" she said sadly."
"Ne.. Ichi-nee you look exhausted we will leave you to rest for abid." the raven head girl said pushing her father out of her sister's room
"Thanks Karin I really need my rest especially now." she said lying back on her bed.
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"Ichigo wake up, here is your body." said a male voice.
"Kon?"
"Yes?
"Wow Shinji was right you look like a male version of me."
"Hahaha...thanks, I take that as a complement then since you are very beautiful. So how are you Ichigo?"
"I have had better days, give me a minute let me re-enter my body." she said moving towards her body.
"Before I forget Kisuke said you will feel unconfortable being back in your body for a few days."
"How unconfortable?"
"Nothing serious really he said your limbs will feel heavier sometimes." he explained
"I see, so what time is it Kon?"
"10:15 am why?"
"I need to take a shower and I am very hungry ."
"You will have to make your breakfast yourself Yuzu-chan is not back yet."
"It's fine I will"she said packing her stuffs for her shower.
"Hey Ichigo welcome back"
"Thank you Kon" she said with a bright smile
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" I am home! Hey Dad! Karin!Kon! have you guys had breakfast already because I bought onigiri on my way home. Hey is anybody home?"called a female voice. "Where are they? Oh well I will just keep this in the fridge and micro-wave it later" she thought when nobody answered her calls.
On entering the kitchen Yuzu was taken aback by whom she saw "Mum? Is that you?"
Ichigo confused by the question turned from the cooker to stare at her sister.
"What do you mean mum Yuzu? Is her ghost here? I can't see her"
"Nee-chan?"
"Yes?"
"Where...did...you..run..off...to?...I...searched...for... you... everywhere...but...I...couldn,'t find...you... Why did you leave us Nee-chan?" Yuzu asked in between sobs while hugging her sister tightly.
"Oh don't cry sweety I promise to tell you guys everything when I am ready. For now I am very hungry. So does that mean you thought I was mum?"
"Yes Ichi-nee you looked like mum that's why I mistook you for her" she explained "So what are you cooking?"
"Well I had cravings for spicy curry. I was about to prepare the ingredients for the soup?"
"Curry? Since when do you eat spicy food Ichi-nee?"
"That too is a long story Yu-chan. Will you help me make it?"
"Yes of course what should I do?"
"Help me chop the ingredient will you."
"Hai, Nee-chan."
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"Eeehm nee-chan I don''t remember you eatung this much that's your 6th plate already. You must have been really hungry right? asked a shocked Yuzu.
"Yeah I was really hungry, I did not have dinner last night before coming here"
"Ah ok, so will you-"
DIING...DONG!
"Let me check who is at the door" Yuzu said getting up to get open the door.
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"Hello Yuzu-chan, Shinji-kun told us Ichi-chan is back. Can we see her?"
"Yes of course Orihime-chan you guys can come in" she said openning the door wider.
"Hello Ichigo! welcome home."
" Thank you Orihime. Hey guys" she greeted putting down her chop sticks.
"Tell me Ichigo is that what I think it is?"
"Huh what?"
"I thought you hated spicy foods. Anyways can I have some it looks appetizing."
"Of course Hime, there is wasabi if you want yours to be more spicy".
" Who are you and what have you done to that idiot?"
"Thanks alot Ishida. I didn't know you thought that high of me" she answered sarcastically.
"No seriously you are behaving strangely, the Ichigo I know couldn't stand the scent of wasabi. Are you sure you are ok?" Uryuu asked.
"Yeah I am fine just felt like eating spicy today is it a crime or something?" she asked annoyed.
"Actually Ichigo you look different" said the usually quiet Chad.
"Now that you mentioned it her spiritual energy feels different too" Ishida added.
"Eehmm...guys the two of you are making nee-chan uncomfortable" said Yuzu trying to diffuse the akward atmosphere.
Sighing resignatedly Ichigo said "It's true I don't only feel and look different I am different. However I don't want to talk about it today if that's ok with you guys."
"Oh come on stop being gloomy and all it doesn't suit you. It's fine if you don't want to tell us anything for now right Chad?."
"Yes of course" said Chad.
"Thank you. So tell me what did I missed?" she asked
"Well alot actually but we are here to feel you in."
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Its been six days since Ichigo came back from Seireitei and it has always been the same routine. She wakes up nakes breakfast for everybody then either keeps herself busy with reading her Shakespearan novels or she helps her dad in the clinic.
"TeIl me something Ichigo."
"Yes dad what is it?"
"Will you like to go back to school?"
"No I can't right now even if I wanted to" she said in a low voice.
"Is it because you are pregnant?"
"What?...what makes you think that I am pregnant?" she asked " Damn how did he find out!" she screamed in her head.
"I am a doctor remember? Added to that you have the signs and symptoms; You eat alot, sleep alot, you look very pale sometimes and I have heard you throw up many times. You have weird cravings. should I continue?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I was planning on telling you everything, but I always chicken out whenever I think I am ready to tell you" she said.
"Who is the father?"
"He doesn't have one" she said angrily.
"Look honey, I just want to know what happeed to you so that I can help you."
"What happened to me is that I got forced into an arranged marriage, I was betrayed by my supposed husband, I got pregnant and then I was dumped by the idiot who said he was setting me free and now I am here anything else you wish to know dad?"
"Oh sweaty please don't cry."
"These are tears of pain, anger, helplessness and frustration. But don't worry with time I will forget he was once part of my life "
"You know it will be difficult to forget, since your baby will always remind you of him. So who is it?"
"Rukia's brother." she whispered.
"WHAAT! a freaken Kuchiki what were you thinking?"
"In truth I thought I was protecting all of you"
"Did he threaten you to marry him?"
"No not him, his aunt. but it's ok I am here now right? So please let's drop it for now."
Do you love him Ichigo?"
"It's no longer important dad. He took my feelings for granted anyways."
"So how far are you in your pregnancy?".
"Three weeks why?"
"I will be the one to do your check ups from now on. So tell me what sex will you want your baby to have?"
"To be honest I will like to have a boy" she said with a smile touching her stomach.
"We will be able to know it's sex in a few month don't worry." he said ruffling her hair.
"Thank you dad for your understanding"
"You are welcome my dear. Oh before I forget Kisuke, Yoruichi and all your feiends said they will be here tonight for your welcome party. You better get some rest before they come here"
"Ok see you later dad" she said leaving the clinic to her room.
When he was certsin his daughter had left, he spoke again."The three of you better show yourselves." he called out in a rhreatening voice.Two men and a woman materialized in the room.
"From your hairpins no need for me to ask who you are. "So why have you been spying on Ichigo?"
"Sorry about that sir actually we are here to protecr Lady Kuchiki since she won't be able to defend herself properly for the time being"
"Oh I see Is he the one who sent you here?"
"If 'he' means Byakuya-sama then yes he did send us" answered the female shinigami.
"You should be more discrete or else my daughter might sense you. And knowing her she will feel insulted and send the three of you away." he told them.
"Hai sir!" they answered in unison and disappeared.
"Byakuya Kuchiki what are you really up to?" Isshin thought exitting the room as well.
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Ichigo knew the supposed welcome party will be noisy and exhausting but to this extent? No!
"Hey, I know you don't really like parties but you seem more sad than annoyed what's bothering you?"
"Nothing is wrong Tatsuki you are imagining things"
"I know I am not. So tell me-" Tatsuki was inturrupted by Yoruichi who decided to cling to the orangette sniffing her.
"What the hell get off me Yoruichi!"
"I knew it! I was certain you were the one with that smell"
"What smell and stop sniffing me you warecat" she said annoyed.
"There is no doubt about it now after what you just called me. You have Bya-boo's sent all over you." she said releasing the orangette. Yoruichi's remark made Ichigo to stiffen and eveybody's attention to turn towards them."
"Excuse me please who or what is Bya-boo?" asked a confused Yuzu.
"Well my dear you remember Rukia right? Yoruichi asked
" Yes of course I do "
"Well Bya,-boo as I am fond of calling him since he was a kid is Rukia's older brother. His real name is Byakuya Kuchiki."
"Oh ok so what did you mean when you said nee-chan had his smell?"
"Well what I meant was that-"
"Yoruichi that's enough." Ichigo said glaring at the dark skinned woman.
"What did I do now? You are so moody today" Yoruichi said sighing dramatically but Ichigo ignored her insult and continued.
"She is right. I have Kuchiki's scent. That is because I am or should I say was his wife." she said calmly. It took a few seconds before the news sank in.
"WHHHAAAAAAATTT!
"Wait are you serious.You are married to the Byakuya Kuchiki? asked Uryuu.
"Yes Ishida and I am three weeks pregnant. Please excuse me I am going to bed now." she said leaving.
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"If I had known my remark will cause this mess, I won't have said anything"
"It's ok Yoruichi she is not mad at you but at herself. I spoke with her this morning and she sounded very angry and hurt. The one thing I am certain is that she will confide in one of you when she is ready to." explained Isshin
"Not to sound judgemental but Kuchiki was the last person I will ever picture her with. For crying out loud the man hates her with a passion" said Uryuu.
"That's a small problem compared to the real problem. Kuchikis and Shibas have always hated each other. So Ichigo and Byakuya married sounds unrealistic." said Kisuke.
"What do you mean Urahara-san? asked Orihime.
" What he means is that our clans have been deadly enemies for centuries now." said Isshin a frown on his face.
"Do you think that's why she came back here?"
"I don't know Tatsuki the only thing she told me is that Kuchiki told her to leave."
"I have always thought Ichigo's life was like a whirlwind with all the action, drama and all. However, now I am certain of it" said Uryuu.
"You can say that again Ishida" affirmed Tatsuki
"Poor Ichi-nee" said a teary eyed Yuzu
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"Are you ok Ichigo?"
"I am fine Zangetsu."
"You are not fine Ichigo; your inner world is gloomy. Tell me something Ichigo, Why did you chose to believe Byakuya's explanation so quickly?"
"I don't really know maybe because, I felt betrayed he lied to me and disappointed he did not fight for our love. she said honestly.
"You are so weak hearted Queenie. You are blaming him for not fighting for you. But, if I recall correctly you did not fight either." her hollow said.
"Are you on my side or his bastard?"
" I am on the brat's side. A kid who might grow up without his father simply because his parents are idiots and cowards."
"If you are here to insult me you can go back to sleep."
"I am here to knock some sense into you. But it looks like I am wasting my time on you." the hollow said with annoyance.
"Ichigo he is right think about the consequences of your actions carefully. I know you are hurt right now , but do you want your baby to pay for his parent's mistakes?
" He is the one who said I should leave for goodness sake!"
"Just think about what we just told you Ichigo."
"There is nothing to think about Zangetsu, I don't owe him anything I tried but the marriage did not work out." she argued cutting the link.
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Good morning Nee-chan!"
"Morning Ichi-nee!"
"Morning Yuzu, morning Karin.
" Where is dad and Kon?"
"They left early this morning saying they had something urgent to do at Urahara-san's place" explained Karin.
"Oh ok" she said sitting down for breakfast.
"Ne...Ichigo?"
"Yes?"
"Are you really married and pregnant?"
"Yes Yuzu I am"
" Is he cute?" Karin asked.
"Is Who cute?"Ichigo asked pretending not to know what her sister was asking.
"This Byakuya guy?"
"I don't know?" Ichigo said shrugging.
"Come on Nee-chan! That's not an answer." complained Yuzu.
"I know you are just trying to evade my question Ichi-nee." complained Karin.
"Ok you win. He is beautiful , gorgueous even , but unfortunately his personality sucks." she admitted.
"Do you love him nee-chan?" aaked Yuzu.
"The two of you are very inqusitive this morning why is that?" she complained in attempt not to answer her sister's question. To her relief her sisters decided to let her be for now.
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AND CUT!!!NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE MORE ABOUT BYAKUSHI. SEE YOU NEXT CHAPTER:)
NAMIKAZE ICHIME