AN: Prepare yourself for the chapter you've all been waiting for!
Also this story now has a title! It's about damn time, right? I hope you like it...
Chapter Nine
Byakuya was terrified. He didn't outwardly show it, of course, but he was. His imagination was going wild with thoughts of what could be happening to Ichigo. He ignored his own curiosity at why he was so concerned. He'd never felt this scared before, not even for his sister.
His little team was currently travelling through Hueco Mundo, quickly and quietly. They came across only a few Hollows, but they were dealt with easily.
Hours passed and they got to a safe distance away, being able to see the castle clearly.
"Kuchiki-taichou, what should we do now?" Unohana-taichou asked quietly.
Byakuya looked over his group. "Now that we have arrived, we can plan to infiltrate the castle safely and save Ichigo." They all nodded in agreement.
They set up camp and the "adults" talked while Hanatarou sat away from them, cheerfully talking to Hisagomarou. "Man, I cant wait until we see Ichigo-kun again. I hope he's okay. Maybe he'll finally tell Kuchiki-taichou about his situation." He giggled to himself and glanced over at the stoic captain. "I know he likes to think no one can read him, but I can, and he's absolutely terrified." He smiled and sighed.
A few minutes later, a figure approached, grabbing Hanatarou and covering his mouth so he wouldn't scream. Hanatarou squirmed and kicked, but immediately calmed down once he recognized the reitsu.
The mysterious figure dragged him a little ways away and then finally let him go. He turned around and enveloped the man in a hug. "Ichigo-kun! What-What happened? How are you here?"
Ichigo shushed him and looked around cautiously. "Keep your voice down." He let out a breath. "I'll explain later, but you need to know something first." He took a step back and looked around nervously. "Okay, guys, come on out."
Hanatarou gasped and looked around frantically. Four Espada and former captain Gin Ichimaru stepped out from behind a giant rock. "Ichigo-kun, what...?"
Grimmjow grinned and put an arm around Hanatarou's shoulders. He leaned down and sniffed the trembling boy's neck. "Hey, Ichigo, this one smells like prey." He cackled and moved his arm down around his waist. "He's mine now. What's your name, sweetheart?"
The boy squeaked and blushed. "H-H-Hanatarou..."
"Hana...I like that. My name's Grimmjow." He purred in Hanatarou's ear.
Ichigo rolled his eyes and smiled. "So, Hana, take us back to the camp. I'll explain everything there."
Hanatarou nodded and turned, leading the strange and scary group back to the camp where the "adults" were still discussing plans. Hana cleared his throat. "U-Um...e-excuse me...c-captains..." His timid voice broke through their quiet chatter.
They stared at him for a few minutes, unblinking, until Unohana broke the silence. "Hanatarou, why is there an Espada hanging onto you?"
Hanatarou laughed nervously and scratched his cheek. "W-Well..."
Ichigo stepped forward into the light. "Because they're with me."
Uruhara broke through the silence this time. He approached the orange haired teen and pulled him into a hug. "What happened? How are you here? What about Aizen? What's up with these guys?"
By then they had all noticed the rest of the Espada and Gin. Unohana narrowed her eyes and, in an icy voice, addressed him. "Gin Ichimaru. What are you doing here?"
Gin grinned and shrugged. "I'm ready to go home to my sweet Izu-chicky."
Ichigo sighed. "Let me explain everything."
Byakuya's relief at seeing Ichigo alive and well really surprised him. He knew he'd be relieved, but not this relieved. But he was. And there was nothing he could do about it. After Ichigo had explained Aizen's plans and the Espada's plans to give themselves up, they had to quickly make their way back to Karakura town.
On the way there, Ichigo had taken up another new friend, a little girl named Nelliel. She seemed to be extremely attached to Ichigo and wouldn't leave him for anything. Byakuya mentally shook his head. Ichigo was just a magnet for trouble.
Once they got back to Ichigo's home town, they quickly made their way back to the Seireitei before anyone caught wind of their return. Uruhara and Yoruichi stayed back.
They arrived at one of the front gates and Byakuya turned to the group. "We must see the Head Captain immediately." He looked at Ichigo. "You'll have to explain them." The teen nodded. "Let's go."
After explaining the situation again to the Head Captain, they all headed home and the Espada and Gin were put in jail. Nel was placed with Gin.
Ichigo gave a deep sigh as he sunk into the warm bath water. All the tension in his shoulders left him. He was glad to be back.
Lyla was waiting for him in his room and tackled him in a hug. "I'm so sorry, Ichigo-kun! I should've found you quicker!"
"Lyla..." He blushed and pushed her away. "I'm fine." He looked down at his bare stomach. It was getting more noticeable. "And so are they."
The pink haired servant was in tears by the time he kicked her out to get dressed. "Oh, and Byakuya-sama was asking for you."
"Okay, thank you, Lyla." She nodded and walked away.
Ichigo wondered what the captain needed. 'Maybe I should tell him I'm pregnant...'
Once he arrived at Byakuya's study, he walked in and heard soft music playing. He saw Byakuya sitting at a small table with tea. He poured two cups. "Come sit, Ichigo-san."
"I told you to just call me Ichigo." He sat next to the captain and picked up his cup of tea, taking a sip and smiling. His favorite.
"I need to-"
"Will you-"
They started at the same time. Ichigo chuckled and Byakuya nodded. "You first."
Ichigo took a deep breath. "Okay, well, I need to tell you something. It's about my...situation." The teen sounded calm but Byakuya was a nervous wreck. On the inside, of course.
"I'll just come right out and say it. I'm pregnant." He stopped and stared, waiting for a reaction.
"You're pregnant." It wasn't a question, but a statement.
Ichigo blushed and looked away. "Yes, I am. Before I got taken I was meeting with the father of my child. That's why I didn't tell you. I didn't want you to know yet. But now, back from Aizen's, I've decided that this is as good a time as any to tell you."
Byakuya thought this new information over and decided that he really didn't care that Ichigo was pregnant. It didn't change the fact that he had come to care for the teenager, crazy orange hair and all.
He stood up quickly, startling said teen, and held a hand out. "Dance with me." He said, surprising himself.
Ichigo looked at the hand for only a second before grabbing it, getting helped up and led to the middle of the room. Hands landed themselves on his hips and pulled him closer, and he wrapped his arms around the captain's neck. They swayed slowly along with the music and closed their eyes, enjoying the closeness and the warmth.
Byakuya felt more at peace now than he had in a very long time, holding Ichigo close, whose body fit perfectly against his own. He was truly happy.
"You should smile more often, Byakuya." Ichigo's voice broke him out of his thoughts and he opened his eyes, looking into Ichigo's warm brown ones.
"I do not want to appear weak." It sounded lame, even to him.
Ichigo laughed. "You're not weak. And you don't appear weak, especially not when showing happiness. You're beautiful and strong." He blushed at his own words.
Byakuya felt the faintest twinge of pink on his cheeks as he glanced away then back at Ichigo. They stared into each other's eyes and leaned in, pressing their foreheads together. "I am...happy. Here, with you." Byakuya confessed.
"Don't sound so in pain when saying that." Ichigo giggled. He placed his hands on Byakuya's cheeks and pressed the lightest of kisses to the very corner of the captain's mouth. He smiled as Byakuya's lips twitched. "I'm very tired. I haven't had a good night's sleep in a long time." He pulled away. "Goodnight, Byakuya."
"Goodnight, Ichigo." And he watched as the teen made his way out of the study, leaving Byakuya colder than he was before.
End Chapter
AN: PHEW finally! That took literally forever. I wrote this entire chapter in just an hour and a half this morning, and just now finished typing it which took like 50 minutes. Anyway, leave a comment if you enjoyed!
Also, I just had to give the cute little Hanatarou someone to love him. He's honestly one of my favorite characters so I must be good to him. Tell me what you think of that crack pairing!