Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Word Count: 655
AN: I no longer have an excuse for how long or short these chapters may be-especially as things progress- the muses call and I answer. Besides, Byakuya is bonding.
A Kiss for Shelter
Signs of Faith
A still night had fallen, one in which even the crickets chirps were demure and the starlight was pale and nearly swallowed by the navy blue backdrop.
It was not yet past the midnight hour, but there was only one light to be seen and it was not in the Master's study.
In fact the Master was haunting his own hallways, pacing them in restless silence. But while no one could hear his footfalls, he himself could hear an incessant rhythm that was thoroughly unsettling.
The over-fast thumpity-thump of a heartbeat- his heartbeat- flooded the man's ears.
It had nothing to do with his impromptu strolling- he had learned long ago how to control his pulse even when exerting himself- it was a skill one of high reiatsu could not be without. No, Byakuya's heartrate had not calmed since the evening meal and the unpleasant incident that had occurred.
It was hard to admit how terrifying that moment had been- the instant fears that had assaulted his mind. He'd been helpless against the sense of dread that arose.
If only those books hadn't been so vague! Perhaps he would not feel so foolish and yet apprehensive if those tomes had gone into detail instead of prattling on about the scientific aspects of pregnancy with only a brief overview of its symptoms.
He closed his eyes in weariness and when he opened them he realized he was standing at the shoji to her rooms. There was still a faint light beyond the doors and his fists clenched and unclenched in indecision. But he was prompted into action when a soft moan of discomfort reached his ears.
"Xochitl."
He did not wait for a reply and slid the door open to see her sitting up on her pallet, her legs hugged to her chest. Layla was strangely absent.
Xochitl did not look up, her eyes shut tight as she curled her lips around each breath.
"I shall send for Unohana-Taichou." He found himself again at her side, his hands hovering.
An unbidden breath huffed past his lips when she reached out to bury her hand in his haori.
"Just some muscle spasms." She told him between breaths, eyes yet closed.
He was taken aback as her hand remained clenched around the cloth. He was bordering on inaction- thinking that allowing her to cling to him might be enough… But it was never enough.
"Perhaps just a little kido then." He said, sliding around her. Before she knew it she was between his legs, with her back pressed against his chest. She was inclined to blush and pull away, but the strong flinching of her muscles kept her still, yet rigid.
Warm hands slid down her arms in an easing gesture as he murmured at her ear, "Relax your limbs."
She resisted for a time, finally gradually uncurling into his solidness, the tension running up and down her arms and legs begging for relief.
The bed gown she wore now was a simple thin tunic that reached to her ankles with long belled sleeves allowing for freedom of movement. His fingertips were nimble and soothing through the fine barrier.
Byakuya inhaled, calling his energy into his palms and at the same time taking in her scent. As she sank into him he began to feed his reiatsu into her, passing his hands gently up and down her arms.
The hesitation in her was still there, but he would not dwell on it. Allowing him this much liberty was not only aiding her, but contenting him.
The reiatsu in her was miniscule compared to his, but it had a tug and pull of its own. Tendrils wound curiously around his own, playful, and then settled with all docility into its host's form.
He marveled at the feel of it.
Delighted by the idea that he was becoming familiar to this being- nurturing it even before it was born, he felt his lips curl.