A Kiss for Shelter

by ArsinoetheXXVII

What if the courtesan was not the first to fall? One night is all it takes. And in Fate's hands a seed takes root. An honorable man will take responsibility and face the unexpected. Beyond passion, beyond possession and obligation he'll want for more, but find a soul unwilling to bow to him. Still with a little effort Byakuya might get what he'd forgotten he always wanted.

72. Chapter 72

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

Word Count: 375

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A Kiss for Shelter

Growth

Just her hand, gripping his to guide it toward her middle broke down barriers he never knew existed.

"This," She murmured softly one late night, "This is why sleep so often eludes me."

He understood instantly of course.

The ripple beneath his hand was very poignant. The child was making their presence known- felt.

"I can't imagine what kind of power they will have." There was fondness in the woman's voice and Byakuya's eyes sank shut.

He himself could not fathom that one of his blood would soon arrive and change his world.

At that point Xochitl had withdrawn her hand, yet his lingered. She said nothing as he introduced a small speck of reiatsu and slid his hand across her belly.

The fabric of her yukata pressed into his palm with force. He stilled as again her stomach bulged and his heart sped up in excitement.

"Strong." He said, a hint of pride in his voice.

He heard and felt her gentle laugh, "I think so."

Then she gave a gasp and he had to suppress his own laughter. He distinctly felt the impression of a foot that time.

Indeed.

…

The days that followed were pleasant- comfortable- and yet strange in there unpredictability.

Byakuya could not foresee what Xochitl might do or say.

They were discovering things about one another and he had never expected this turn to the already unusual relationship.

She didn't actually care for tea- she preferred cold drinks.

He told her- in sign- that he liked to read epics (when official paperwork did not demand his attention). When she asked him which he answered, "Heike Monogatari."

He deduced that she liked the works of Komachi and this she admitted to- though she said that she preferred when the poems of love were not easy but littered with obstacles or small tragedies.

She hid her amusement when he confessed that Reira had been a bothersome stray pup that had followed him home.

Their exchanges continued- they told one another about their likes and dislikes with a near ease that Byakuya attributed to the silent language she'd been patiently teaching him.

But there were subjects they did not touch- and it would be these that would become obstacles to them in the future.