AN: Okayyyyy, soooooo, I'm terribly sorry for the wait! But, I'm here now so here you go! The long awaited chapter with Byakuya's explanation. It's not too long, but Im glad to get it out there.

On to the chapter!

Chapter Thirteen

Ichigo was led to Byakuya's study and they sat down across from each other.

"When Hisana passed away I got depressed. I was lonely, and distraught. And when I adopted Rukia into the family, who looked so much like her...it didn't help. But Abarai-san...he was there. He was loud and brash and hot-headed, and a distraction." He looked away from Ichigo. "Yes, we were intimate for a while, but I broke it off the day after you came back."

"Why? You said our time together was a mistake."

"I know, and I deeply regret saying that. It's just that I'm not used to someone getting so close emotionally. I'm a very private person. I was stressed from work, and Abarai-san wasn't too happy about the news."

Ichigo smiled and looked down at his lap. "Well, at least I know now why Lyla doesn't like him."

Byakuya nodded and they sat in a comfortable silence until Ichigo spoke up.

"I trust that you won't go back to him while I'm here, but it'll be hard for me not to be fearful when we're together. You hurt me, and it'll take a while to get over it."

"I understand. I'm sorry."

"I'm just glad to be back." He put a hand over his stomach. "Besides, you can't get rid of me so quick. I'll be here for a while."

Byakuya gave a smile and moved closer. "May I?" He put out a hand.

Ichigo bit his lip and nodded slowly.

Byakuya's hand pressed against the bump hesitantly, and he let out a breath. "Hisana and I...couldn't have children..."

Ichigo hummed. "Because she was sick..."

"She was too weak to carry children. So when she passed I was actually kind of glad. I didn't want our child to grow up with only one parent."

Ichigo put a hand over Byakuya's. "I know how hard it was for my dad, raising us by himself."

They looked at each other. "Ichigo, I truly am sorry."

"I know." He smiled and lightly kissed the Captain's cheek. "Just take good care of me from now on."

"I will." He promised.

They looked at each other for a minute longer when Ichigo stood up. "I'm gonna go grab some breakfast. You should head to work. Your division is probably freaking out about you not going in." He chuckled and gave a small wave, walking out of the study.

A week later

Byakuya sat at his desk at work, signing and stamping papers. But his mind was elsewhere. He was thinking about his conversation with Ichigo a week before. They had been getting steadily closer, and he was glad that the teen seemed to be more comfortable with him now. His relationship with Abarai-san really was in the past. He cared for Ichigo, and he didn't want to lose him.

Then he thought about the kiss afterwards. Ichigo had kissed him before, the night after he came back. The kiss was so innocent, though Ichigo was definitely not innocent, made obvious by the baby inside him. And the kiss he gave him the previous week reassured him that their relationship wasn't beyond repair.

The teen would make sure he worked for it, but he knew it would be worth it in the end.

There was a knock on his door and in came the subject of his thoughts. Ichigo walked in and set down a bento box. "Good afternoon, Byakuya. I brought you a lunch. I made it and I want to know your thoughts."

Byakuya opened the box and picked up his chopsticks. "Thank you for this meal." He took a bite. "It's good." He took a few more. "Really good..."

Ichigo blushed prettily. "Thank you."

Byakuya stared at him. "Have I ever told you that you're beautiful?"

Ichigo's face exploded in a blush and he stuttered. "B-Byakuya! F-Flattery will get you nowhere!" He scowled, looking away. He stood up and headed for the door. "Anyway, I just wanted to bring you lunch. I'll be with the Espada if you need me." He opened the door and paused, looking back at the Captain. "Thank you." He blushed again and left.

Byakuya gave a secret smile. "You're welcome."

As Ichigo was walking through the division he was aware of the stares on his person. He looked up from the ground. "Hey, Renji."

"Hey...what are you doing here?"

Ichigo shrugged. "Just visiting. Brought Byakuya some lunch."

"Why?"

Ichigo pulled a face. "What do you mean 'why'?"

"I mean, why are you bringing him lunch? You're not his wife, are you?"

Ichigo blushed angrily and scowled. "No, I'm not. I just thought it'd be a nice thing to do for the person protecting me and letting me live in his home."

"Is that why you're all dressed up?"

"I'm not 'dressed up'. This is just what I'm wearing."

"You never used to dress like that."

"Oh, because you're an expert on what I used to wear."

"You're even growing your hair out! It's so..."

"'So' what? Girly? Is that what you were going to say? It's not even that long. I didn't take you for a sexist."

"And I didn't take you for a fag."

"Excuse me? How the hell do you think I got pregnant?"

"You're pregnant?" His eyes widened. "By who? It better not have been by Kuchiki-taichou."

"And why not? Even if this was his child, it'd be of no concern to you. You have no claim over him." He made his way to the entrance. "The father is Chad. You better not hurt his feelings over it or I will kill you." He said with complete seriousness, finally walking out and heading to the prison, shaking his head and mumbling to himself. "I can't believe him..."

He arrived at the prison to see Hanatarou coming out of Grimmjow's cell, flushed and patting down his clothes. He raised an eyebrow. "Hey."

The healer jumped. "Ichigo-san. Wh-What are you doing here?"

"I came to visit. What about you? You seem a little red."

"A-Ah, I was just visiting Grimmjow. I have to go now. Goodbye, Ichigo-san." Hanatarou rushed past him.

Ichigo looked into the sixth Espada's cell to see the man grinning at him. The teen shook his head and made his way to Gin and Nel's cell.

End Chapter

AN: Mean words from Renji x3 Sorry I just needed someone to create drama and Renji seemed like the perfect person to do so.

Wow this chapter is actually pretty short...I'm sorrryyyy! I can't promise anything but hopefully the next will be longer.

But thanks for reading and don't forget to favorite and comment!